Aileen Campbell, SNP MSP for South of Scotland, is encouraging constituents in the South of Scotland to recycle their Christmas cards this January and start the New Year by doing their bit for the environment.

The Woodland Trust is once again running their Christmas Card Recycling scheme, which will use the money raised to plant 12,000 new native trees during 2010 - many by children. Christmas card recycling bins will be in many shops throughout the area or people can take their cards to the special Woodland Trust recycling bins, which are in Marks & Spencers, Tesco, WH Smith and TK Maxx stores.

Speaking on the recycling scheme, Aileen Campbell MSP said:

"Recycling your Christmas cards this January is a fantastic way of doing your bit for the environment. Each year since being elected I have made sure I recycle all my Christmas cards and I was delighted to be able to do so again this year.

"We are all left with lots of cards after the Christmas break and by recycling your cards you're able to tidy up after Christmas in an environmentally friendly way.

"I recycled my cards in the Scottish Parliament and I would encourage everyone to pop along to their nearest recycling bin or go to Tesco, WH Smith, TK Maxx or Marks & Spencers to recycle your cards and help the Woodlands Trust tree planting