BUSINESSES in Wimborne are being encouraged to think green by a forward-thinking town councillor.

Wimborne town councillor Richard Booth has sent out a survey to 30 businesses, both within the town and on the Riverside Industrial Estate, to see if they would support a scheme to increase the amount of recycling in the town.

It would benefit the environment and also save businesses money.

From October 31, businesses and offices will have a legal requirement to pre-sort waste.

Cllr Booth has already had meetings with key recycling officials at East Dorset District Council and written to the Chamber of Trade to ask for their support. Once he has had enough responses, he aims to contact waste contractors to try and strike a cost-effective deal.

He said: "When I was employed at Dumpton School in Furzehill, I saw that every classroom and office had an additional green plastic bin in it.

"Its sole purpose was for discarded paper and every week all of that paper, which would otherwise be thrown out with regular waste, was recycled. This is exactly the kind of environmental activity which does make a difference.

"Since introducing these bins, Dumpton has cut down its annual waste by a staggering 50 per cent, saving £2,000 in the process."

Cllr Booth said he believes busines-ses and offices can also save money as tonnes of paper can be recycled.

He added: "The bottom line, the more businesses recycle, the more money they save.

"The more businesses who come onboard with my idea, the more money they'll all save as we'll get even bigger bulk discounts from local waste contractors.

"Plus, above all else, the more businesses that recycle, the greener our town and environment."

Town mayor Anthony Oliver said: "Anything we can do to promote recycling is a good thing."

If your business would like to get involved, or learn more about it, email cllrbooth@wimborne.gov.uk