WORLD Environment Day on June 5 is being marked by an array of activities organised by West Devon Borough Council this year. And the council will announce a new award on the day to recognise and publicise organisations and individuals who are making a determined effort to preserve and protect the environment for generations to come. The West Devon Mayor's Green Champions Award will be judged early next year and significant contributions which could be considered may include projects to help with carbon reduction, environmental schemes, recycling, sustainable energy programmes or community work promoting green initiatives. World Environment Day takes place during National Recycling Week and the borough council will be promoting its food waste scheme with a roadshow in Bedford Square, Tavistock on June 5. Food waste recycling is also being introduced into Okehampton on June 2 and recycling officers will be on hand at the borough council's St James Street office on Monday June 2 and Wednesday June 4 to help residents with any questions they may have on the scheme. Okehampton Tourist Information Centre in the Museum Court Yard is organising a World Environment Day letter box stamp walk throughout the day. Participants can visit the centre, pick up the details of the walk which takes them past town landmarks en route and collect six unusual stamps along the way. A key aim of World Environment Day, which is called by the United Nations every year, is to reduce the carbon footprint on the environment. Borough councillors and staff will be given tips on 'safer, greener and less stressful' driving by the Energy Saving Trust on the day. Tyre specialists ATS will be offering free checks on the tyre pressures of staff and councillors' vehicles at the borough's Kilworthy Park offices during the day. Under inflated tyres can burn extra litres of fuel per tank of petrol. Cllr Chris Jenkins, chairman of the council's environment and community committee, said: 'As part of the drive for greater environmental sustainability, we've made a commitment to reduce our emissions. But to overcome the challenge of climate change, kicking the carbon habit must be a truly global goal.'
