Villagers in Selborne are appealing for local firms to help make it easier for them to recycle Tetra Pak cartons.

Karen Hawtin told the Herald it was possible to recycle Tetra Pak packaging - used for dairy products, drinks, cheese, ice cream and prepared food - but not particularly easy.

She said: “I’m part of a very small group that collects recycling in our village, we then take it to the relevant recycling points. We collect soft plastic, glass cases, blister packs, tin foil etcetera, and also Tetra Paks.

“At the moment I have to drive to Petersfield to recycle the Tetra Paks at the Tesco car park. I’m really keen to get another facility in the Alton or Bordon area, which would cover the whole area between Petersfield and Alton.

“I think some people will only recycle if it’s easy and convenient. Also it doesn’t make sense if you have to drive miles to get rid of the items.”

Tetra Pak packaging is harder to recycle because it is made up of multiple components, namely plastic, paper and foil. It requires recycling facilities that have the capability to separate these three different materials so they can be recycled properly.

Karen said she had asked East Hampshire District Council for help, but was told to contact land owners directly. She said she then approached Sainsbury’s in Alton, which said it was upgrading its recycling facilities and was yet to decide what to include.

She added: “I was wondering whether any businesses in the area would consider taking on a Tetra Pak recycling bin? We can hardly cope with the amount of items we get now.

“It would be fantastic if we could encourage more people to recycle Tetra Paks. I expect lots of people don’t even know they can be recycled in Petersfield.”