WASTE not, want not could well be the company motto at HG Supplies Ltd in Stubbins.

Recycling rubbish is a top priority for the firm, based on the Cuba Industrial Estate.

The company produces and processes felt products, including felt washers for mattresses and felt for inside suit collars.

And most of the waste produced is recycled in one way or another.

Bits of fabric are given to schools for use in art and craftwork, cardboard tubes are pulped to make cardboard boxes, and polythene is recycled into polythene bags Even used envelopes are recycled.

Director Glen Harris said the initiative saved money because they did not have to hire skips, and also stopped a large amount of waste going to landfill.

Much of the money is ploughed back into the company, but some is also used to sponsor a young local football club, Haslingden Juniors.

Several of the schools which have received materials from the firm have written to thank them.

The company has entered the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Grimewatch awards, which reward all kinds of green efforts.

There are categories for schools, businesses, local authorities, community groups and individuals.

So if you have been involved in an environmental initiative in East Lancashire, let Grimewatch co-ordinator Lynn Schofield know.

She can be contacted by telephone on 01254 678678 ext 244, Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Messages can be left at other times.

She can also be contacted by fax on 01254 680429, or by e-mail at grimewatch@aol.com.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.