Residents urged to go green in the new year

EDINBURGH residents are being encouraged to recycle more by passing a Green New Year resolution.

The city council has put out a list of top environmental tips designed to encourage more residents to recycle.

It is advising people to cut back on unnecessary food waste by shopping wisely and avoiding buy one get one free offers on produce with a short shelf-life.

Old, unwanted clothes should be donated to charity, while water can be saved by having showers instead of baths.

Switching to low energy lightbulbs, walking more and not using the standby buttons on electronic gadgets were also listed.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, the city's environment leader, said: "New Year is the perfect time for people to give their lifestyle a green makeover.

"We can all make a real difference just by slightly tweaking daily routines, whether it's turning off the water when brushing your teeth, switching to low energy lightbulbs or buying fruit and vegetables loose instead of packaged."