A NEW community recycling shed has been opened in Fordingbridge.

It has been opened as a result of a collaboration between Fordingbridge Greener Living and St Mary’s Church.

The shed is located at the side of St Mary’s Church Hall and it is a space for the community to reduce the amount of waste by recycling items that are not recycled by New Forest District Council.

Wendy Reid, of Fordingbridge Greener Living, said: “It is going really well. Lots of people in the community are using it.

“It is working really well and we are really pleased with it.”

There are 20 boxes in the shed for an array of different items, including tin foil, bread bags, biscuit wrappers, corks, pens, dental products and water filters to name just a few.

A team of 20 volunteers then help to distribute the items to recycling centres.

“It feels like a real achievement for the community. It’s a real community effort,” added Wendy.

The shed was officially opened on November 17 by the Mayor of Fordingbridge, Paul Anstey.

Fordingbridge Greener Living has a number of projects and plans in the pipeline to help make the town more sustainable in the future and reduce waste.

It is currently working towards getting a community fridge set up and hopes to have it up and running in the new year.

The group is also doing a tree planting project with Forestry England.

In the summer, a new recycling bin was installed at the long stay car park on Ringwood Road as part of a pilot in the town. The recycling bin is for cartons, including fruit juice and milk, and paper cups.

The initiative was proposed by Fordingbridge Greener Living and with the help of New Forest District Council was made possible.

For more information about Fordingbridge Greener Living projects join the Facebook group or go to fordingbridgegreenerliving.org