'We want to show world we are green'.

CANNY Teessiders are finding new ways of tightening their purse strings - and helping to tackle climate change at the same time.

New Tees Valley projects have sprung from the latest trend for thrift, from swap shops to cash-for-goods ventures, as consumers resist the urge to splurge.

Since opening in Middlesbrough a year ago, recycling retailer CeX has paid out a massive pounds 750,000 for consumers' unwanted goods. The store at Captain Cook Square specialises in electrical and entertainment goods - DVDs, CDs, laptops and mobile phones.

Franchise owner Raf believes it's the desire to be green - and save some pennies in these cash-strapped times - that has caught people's imagination.

He said: "There are lots of phones nowadays sitting around in people's drawers, they get cleared out and end up in landfill.

"Not everybody is interested in having the next all-singing all-dancing model, it's a way of getting cash but it's good for the environment too.

"People are definitely more environmentally conscious, they understand what we do will affect future generations."

But saving the planet aside, probably the biggest factor in CeX's success is the recession. "We are a recession proof industry," said Raf, "people can get hard cash for their goods." These days everyone wants to lower their carbon footprint, but there are simpler methods than adding solar panels or wind turbines to your house.

Re-using items is one of the most effective ways of reducing waste to landfill - and easing your eco conscience.

Our throwaway society is becoming a stowaway society, as people make do and mend.

And car boot sales have never been more popular, as people hunt down a cheap deal and save items from an unsavoury end at the nearest rubbish dump. Teesside entrepreneurial duo Marc Draco and Tracy Hancock are hoping to make the most of the change in mindset with their online venture.

Faircycle is based around the US craze for freecycling - offering unwanted belongings online for free - that has hit our shores. The grassroots, not-for-profit phenomenon began in Arizona and there are now around 770 community websites around the globe, with seven million users.

The main aim, according to the website, is to 'keep good stuff out of landfill' - based on the premise that one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Marc Draco said: "Freecycling has done very well, huge amounts of people are taking part but it's got problems.

"I was in one of the local freecycle groups and got a bit ticked off when I saw some people grabbing all the high value items. I though there must be a better way of doing things." Faircycle offers credits every time you give something away to encourage site users to give their belongings away as well as claiming other people's items.

The site sells carbon credits through global management company Carbon Clear and people can buy tree planting credits. Marc and Tracy are also planning to invite ethical product retailers to set up their shops on the site.

"If we make our set up costs back, then great -anything else is a bonus," said Tracy.

"It would be nice to make money, but that isn't the main objective."

Marc said: "Faircycle was designed from the ground up to be ethically driven. From day one, we wanted the business to be carbon neutral.

"We want to show the world Teessiders can be green."

CAPTION(S):

CHEAP DEALS: Car boot sales have never been more popular ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE: Marc Draco and Tracy Hancock who have joined forces to set up a local Faircycle