'GIVEACAR' TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Stuck with an old clapped-out car? Unsure how to get rid of it? Bedford Borough Council is joining with Keep Britain Tidy to ask local residents to donate their old banger to Giveacar.co.uk.

Giveacar.co.uk is a company that raises money for charities by accepting donations of unwanted cars. They aim to make it easy to get rid of your car at the same time as improving the environment and donating to an environmental charity.

Any car that is donated will either be sold in an online auction for its salvage value, or disposed of at an authorised treatment facility.

Many car owners want an easy and completely free way to get rid of their old car. Giveacar.co.uk will help them to do this in a legal and environmentally friendly way. The scheme is intended to discourage those irresponsible owners who may consider abandoning their car, spoiling the appearance of the local environment and also costing local taxpayers' money to remove and dispose of it

Councillor Charles Royden, Liberal Democrat Portfolio Holder for the Environment and Transport, said: "It can be difficult to know how to dispose of your old car. Most options seem either expensive or a hassle to organise. However, this is one scheme that aims to help owners as well as protecting the environment.

"It also provides an excellent alternative to the option some people do take - which is to illegally dump their car - costing local taxpayers' money.

"This also ties in with our efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the borough, in line with the 10:10 initiative."

Cllr Royden added, "When local Lib Dems saw the scheme we knew it was right for Bedford to be part of it, adding yet more to our growing list of green initiatives.

"If anyone would like information about getting rid of their car in a legal and environmentally friendly way, then contact the Environmental Services team at Bedford Borough Council on, 01234 718255."

The service was launched in January 2010 and works in conjunction with the national salvage operation Cartakeback to coordinate the donation of cars.

Cartakeback guarantee a return for every car given them, regardless of condition, and the owner of the vehicle can choose from a list of Giveacar charities to donate the money to - with Keep Britain Tidy being one of them.