Can scratch cards save the planet?
Last Updated: Thursday, 6 October 2005, 12:21 GMT 13:21 UK
Can scratch cards save the planet?
By Hannah Goff BBC News Website
Scratch cards, prize draws and discount vouchers are to be offered in scores of new schemes to get people recycling more of their rubbish.
But can bribing people with the chance to win really cut the amount of junk thrown into landfill sites. Or is this just an untested gamble?
You've got to be in it to win it - is the theory behind the latest bid to get more householders recycling.
Around 50 councils across England are running catchy promotions, perhaps more at home in a casino than a town hall.
Lancashire County Council is giving each of 100,000 householders in the scheme's area a chance to win instant money prizes on free scratch cards.
And primary school children in the county and neighbouring Cumbria will be rewarded with an MP3 player for getting the most recycling pledges in their school from friends and family.