OUR rubbish dumps are overflowing.

The toxic gasses they produce pollute our air and poisonous liquids seep through the soil and into our rivers and streams.

But Britons are still the worst at recycling in Europe -- even after a new year push to improve the environment. Dean Kirby asks why we are at the bottom of the heap.

THE month of January is a time for resolutions. Smokers give up cigarettes, drinkers cut down on alcohol and couch potatoes try to get fit.

Many people now also start the new year by pulping their Christmas trees, saving their wrapping paper and turning their cards into reusable gift tags.

All very well and good. But will these people still be recycling by January next year?

Researchers for lifestyle magazine Your Home have carried out a survey into the nation's attitudes towards rubbish and overfull landfill sites.

They discovered that Britons still only recycle 11 per cent out of a possible 80 per cent of rubbish that could be re-used.

The average family throws out 350 bin-liners a year, with extra amounts of rubbish being collected by bin men after Christmas.

Many people told the researchers that they had started recycling, but the fact is that Britons are still the worst recyclers in Europe.

Sue Rose, the magazine's editor, says: "The research for the project shocked us all.

"Just the amount of rubbish the average household accumulates is enough to raise a few eyebrows.

"When you consider where most of that rubbish is going, it does make you think about the consequences."

She adds: "Our aim is to try to raise the issue and to encourage people to make a few small changes at home, which will ultimately bring a better future for the environment."

The magazine has set up a challenge for three families who will attempt to cut down on their waste and save more energy.

In three months they will talk about their experiences with Government ministers and officers from their local authority.

Families in Bolton are also being encouraged to consider recycling. They currently only recycle 6.6 percent of their trash, but the figure is improving all the time.

In 2001, an extra 5,000 households were introduced into the Green Box recycling scheme, making a total of 13,500 homes.

Residents in many parts of town fill green boxes with plastic, glass and cans before leaving them out with their wheelie bins.

A large number of households also recycle paper as part as part of a scheme called Paperchase.

And a new project was recently introduced to encourage more people to make compost from kitchen and garden waste.

Bolton Council is also setting up a "needabag" campaign aimed at getting shoppers to only use a plastic carrier bag if they really need one.

The success of Bolton Council's environmental strategy has already received national recognition.

Bolton beat more than 180 competitors from around the country to get a Green Apple Award for good environmental practice two years ago.

It has committed itself to recycling 22 per cent of household waste by 2005 and to cutting energy consumption by 10 per cent in the same period.

But more can only be done if other people get the message and start doing their own bit to improve their environment.

The council's environmental improvement campaign, the People and Places Programme, includes a number of schemes targeted at young Boltonians.

Children are encouraged to pick up litter, to recycle, to save energy and to protect local wildlife as part of a borough-wide Environmental Challenge.

And other youngsters are also being taught by environment officers to re-learn the three Rs -- reduce, recycle and reuse.

Dave Shuttleworth, a member of the council's environment team, says: "We are doing our best to encourage people, especially the young, to think about recycling and other ways of protecting the environment.

"We talk to children in schools, give advice to their parents and operate a number of recycling schemes.

"People can visit a number of recycling centres around town or they could contact us to find out more ideas."

More and more people are starting to recycle and hopefully more will be doing their bit by this time next year.

But the town is still spending nearly £10 million a year on collecting and disposing of 140,000 tons of rubbish.

About two-thirds of your wheelie bin's contents could be recycled. Will you be lightening your binman's load next time he arrives on your street?

More information about environmental issues for young people can be found at: www.boltoncommunity.co.uk/greengeneration HERE