SUFFOLK'S bid to achieve recognition as Britain's greenest county is to be formally launched this week.The bid will be unveiled at the Suffolk Show on Wednesday when details of how people and businesses can get involved in the campaign will be revealed.

SUFFOLK'S bid to achieve recognition as Britain's greenest county is to be formally launched this week.

The bid will be unveiled at the Suffolk Show on Wednesday when details of how people and businesses can get involved in the campaign will be revealed.

“Creating the Greenest County” is designed to be a long-term campaign aimed at persuading everyone to take environmental issues more seriously.

It will be launched with performances by members of DanceEast who have a new routine based on the hit West End musical Stomp.

Ian Dunnett is co-ordinating the county's campaign and said people across Suffolk should be able to judge its success within a few months.

He said: “We want people to keep us on our toes and challenge us to say how Suffolk could be made a more environmentally-conscious part of the country.

“There are new technologies that we must look at - perhaps using energy from biomass and we would like to continue to increase the amount of recycling in the county.

“That has increased substantially over recent years but there is still more we can do - and we can try to reduce the amount of packaging we use and re-use what we have.”

Eddy Alcock, the county council's environment spokesman, said it was important to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide created in the county for the sake of the planet.

He said: “In all honesty this isn't really so much about saving the county as saving the planet. We are only a small part of that effort, but everyone has a part to play.

“We are working with the Suffolk Strategic Partnership to reduce our carbon emissions and hope that this helps encourage other people across the county.

“We are determined that this will not just become a hollow promise - we will do all we can to ensure that Suffolk does become a greener place.”

Is Creating the Greenest County a realistic aim? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

How you can become more green

Recycle more - paper and plastic can go in blue bins.

Don't use plastic bags from supermarkets - use re-useable bags or buy a 10p “Bag for Life”.

Walk or cycle short distances - it's good for the environment and will help you get fitter.

Consider using public transport - a bus or train trip may work out cheaper when the cost of fuel and parking is taken into account.

Fit energy saving light bulbs - they may cost more in the first place, but will save money over their long lifetime.