Freesheet bins outside Tube stations

Fortunately the publishers of London Lite, the londonpaper and Metro have decided to put their money where their mouths are and honour their commitment to do something about the "freesheet mountain". Last month it came to light that on just three lines of the London Underground alone, nine and half tonnes of free newspapers are left behind every day.


Now 35 re-cycling bins have been installed in the West End and Victoria at a cost of £500 each. I saw one outside Leicester Square Tube on Friday.

News International (which publishes the londonpaper) has taken responsibility for the bins in the Oxford Circus and Charing Cross Station areas, while Associated Newspapers (Metro & London Lite) is looking after Leicester Square and Victoria Station.

Westminster Council threatened to restrict distribution of the papers within its boundaries if a commitment was not made to help the increased clean up bills the Tube and others were facing. The Council expects the scheme to ensure the emptying and recycling of nearly 400 tonnes of free newspapers each year, the equivalent of 6,400 trees.