FOR every aluminium drink can that's recycled, enough energy is released to power a TV for three hours.

That's an alarming waste when you're hit by the dismal statistic that only nine per cent of rubbish throughout the county is recycled.

But this is a figure that environmentally friendly organisations throughout the county are desperately seeking to increase.

"The Government has laid down a 16 per cent rate to be up and running by 2003/4," says Hannah Phoenix, assistant environmental protection officer at Worcester City Council.

"recycling saves raw materials so they can be reused and don't just sit in a landfill site and don't break down."

The uses to which recycled goods are put are surprising.

Would anyone guess that tattered old clothes hurled into a recycling bank are shredded down and used to fill spaces in car doors? Old paper is torn to bits and then compacted together for animal bedding.

"We keep trying to do initiatives to encourage people to do more recycling but, sometimes, it seems that it's just the same keen people who do everything," says Hannah.

However, environmental groups refuse to give up.

Now they need people to join forces to tackle the ever-growing mountain of waste.

"If we all make small changes we can make a difference," says Hannah.

"If you take your waste for recycling by car, please don't make a special journey because this isn't environmentally friendly.

"Try to put items in your car when visiting an area with a recycling centre, such as the supermarket.

"Alternatively, take a few items at a time and visit our recycling centres at city centre car parks in Newport Street and Pitchcroft."

There are 14 recycling sites throughout the city, including County Hall, Perdiswell Park and Tesco stores in Millwood Drive and St Peter's.

But there are many other smaller sites nestled away.

More information on these can be obtained from the Environmental Protection Department on 01905 722397.