A WASTE awareness campaign that urges residents to rethink their attitude towards rubbish begins this weekend.

A three-metre high, transparent dustbin, which demonstrates how 60 per cent of household rubbish can be recycled, will be the focal point of an eight-day roadshow travelling around County Durham during the seven days.

All aspects of recycling will be covered and reusable shopping bags will be distributed free of charge.

Ordinary plastic bags can take up to 100 years to rot in the ground.

Durham County Council has joined forces with the County Durham Environmental Trust and other local authorities in the region to stage the show.

As part of the county council's green drive, it is also offering residents a free 60-day trial of a home composter.

At the end of the trial, the bins can be bought at a discounted price.

The roadshow will be visiting Durham City Millennium Show tomorrow; Dalton Flatts car park, Easington, on Sunday; Darlington Market Square on Monday; Crook, opposite the town's Market Place, on Tuesday; Galgate car park, Barnard Castle, on Wednesday; Safeway car park, Consett, on Thursday; Chester-le-Street Market Place next Friday; and Aycliffe Shopping Centre, Newton Aycliffe, on Saturday, August 9.