LANCASHIRE County Council has called on people to think about the rubbish created every day in the county and make a new year resolution to "recycle more in 2004".

Each household in Lancashire produces around one tonne of rubbish in a year - that's the same weight as a new Mini.

County Councillor Brian Johnson, the council's cabinet member for urban and Rural Regeneration, said : "We all produce rubbish every day of our lives and often throw it away without a second thought. However today in Lancashire it is so easy for people to choose to find an alternative to dumping it in the bin.

"We all need to think about how we can 'Rethink Rubbish' by reducing the rubbish we produce, passing it on to someone else who needs it, or recycling it."

There are a number of simple steps that people can take to recycle more waste. To find out where you can recycle in your local area visit the County Council website at www.lancswasteinfo.com and click on the "Where can I Recycle?" section.

Compost Christmas trees, either through a local collection scheme or by taking it to a local Household Waste Recycling Centre.

When you've emptied all your bottles and cans over Christmas and the new year don't forget to recycle them.

Make it easy for yourself and if your local council has a recycling collection service please use it.

Old clothes can be given a second chance by passing them onto charity shops, so if you need more space in your wardrobe after the January sales give them away don't throw them away.

Give old toys or unwanted presents a new lease of life by passing them on to family, friends or a charity shop.

Save your Christmas cards and either cut them up and reuse them as gift tags or recycle them. Cards can be recycled at Tesco or WH Smith stores throughout Lancashire.