FROM Tokyo to New York, people across the globe celebrated World Environment Day last Sunday - but did it slip by you unnoticed?

The event was part of a desperate bid by the Environment Agency (EA), one of a host of organisations that are working tirelessly to save our planet - constantly trying to hit home the message that without doing something we're slowly killing our environment.

But some of us are guilty of having rather a laissez faire attitude to 'going green', thinking, perhaps, why bother?

Well be bothered, says celebrity Toyah Wilcox, who lives near Pershore.

"Sometimes it's hard to believe we as individuals can help the environment but there are six billion of us on this wonderful planet and we can all make a difference," she said.

Now Toyah is one of almost 50,000 people in Britain to support the EA's drive to get people to pledge one small change in their lives to help save our plant.

"I pledge never to let any aluminium go into my waste bin because it's 100 per cent recyclable, so instead it will find its way into recycling bins.

"Also, I pledge never to overfill my kettle, leave a light on or the television on standby.

"Every little helps."

The latter ditty is something campaigners in Worcestershire and Herefordshire support.

The councils of Worcestershire, Worcester, Wychavon, Malvern, Herefordshire, Redditch and Bromsgrove have joined forces to create its Mission (Im)possible campaign.

"It's all about cutting the amount of garden and kitchen waste you throw away," said Jane Paynter, waste challenge manager for Worcestershire County Council.

She said most rubbish in Worcestershire and Herefordshire is buried in landfill sites that hold thousands of tonnes of slowly decaying waste.

"The rubbish in these big tips can last for hundreds of years," she added. "The sites have to be managed to prevent damage to the environment from the gasses and liquids produced as the rubbish rots.

"If we reduce the amount of waste we throw away we will reduce the costs of collection and treatment, and also reduce the impact on our environment."

Also, nearly half of the rubbish thrown into the average household dustbin every week comes from the kitchen and the garden.

The councils are reducing waste by introducing recycling collection schemes for items such as paper, cans and some plastics.

And recycling's not the only way to help - you can shop smarter too.

"Shopping smartly is all about choosing to buy products and goods that reduce waste," said Ms Paynter.

"It is about making simple changes to the way you do your shopping - simple changes that can make a big difference to the environment."

Tips include buying local produce from farmers' markets, drinks and milk in glass bottles (as plastics are difficult to recycle), and preparing more meals at home instead of buying takeaway or convenience foods.

Mission (Im)possible is also pushing a range of ways to help everyone deal with garden and kitchen waste at home before it reaches the bin.

HERE'S SOME IDEAS TO IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT

USE REAL NAPPIES: Every child uses an average of 5,020 disposable nappies in their pre-potty days. This adds up to a staggering eight million being sent to landfill every day. 'Nappaccino' mornings are held across the two counties each week, providing parents the opportunity to pop in for a free coffee and find out about real nappies.

BUY A GREEN CONE: You can put all your kitchen food waste into it, where it will be quickly and hygienically decomposed without any nasty smells and without attracting vermin. Buy online (costs £69.90) at greencone.com website or phone 0800 731 25 72.

GET A WORM FACTORY: Simply fill the bottom tray with worms, bedding and kitchen scraps. As the worms digest the scraps they migrate upwards, leaving the castings to be collected up. No mess and no odours. Buy online (costs £59,95) at getcomposting.com website or phone 0845 130 60 90.

USE THE SHREDDERMAN: Do you drive to your local household waste site to dump your branches, twigs and other garden prunings? Well, no more. If you live in Worcester, Wychavon, or Redditch you can use the Shredderman service to have your twigs and branches shredded, put into bags and left with you for use as top quality garden mulch. All you have to do is call the Shredding Hotline on 0845 6021939 and book an appointment.

...AND SOME TOP TIPS TO HELP SAVE OUR WORLD

Replace two light bulbs in your house with energy-saving versions.

Insulate your loft and hot water tank.

Re-use plastic bags from your shopping.

Car share, use public transport or cycle.

Take showers instead of baths.

Replace one return flight with travel by train.

Turn the tap off when you clean your teeth.

Give your unwanted clothes, books and CDs to charity shops.