People in Swansea will be forgiven for checking their eyesight on Saturday as a gigantic dustbin drives into the city in a campaign to encourage people to process rubbish more efficiently.

The three-metre high motorised bin is the focal point of the Rethink Rubbish roadshow which is visiting 22 sites across the UK during a 2000-mile summer tour.

A driver and one passenger can ride in the vehicle, which organisers say is the world's first motorised dustbin and is licensed for use on the road.

The three-metre motorised dustbin

The campaign was devised by the National Waste Awareness Initiative and is the first programme to bring local authorities, retailers and the waste management sector together to promote responsible rubbish disposal.

It is backed by a number of celebrities including television host Graham Norton, comedian Alistair McGowan and football manager Bobby Robson.

A group of professional actors also perform a specially commissioned street theatre piece.

Behind the fun activities is the serious message that people need to reconsider how they manage their household rubbish disposal.

Comedian Graham Norton supports Rethink Rubbish

Figures show 1,621,000 tons of rubbish were generated in Wales during 2001.

Rethink Rubbish spokesman Gareth Morton said: "Our research has found although most people are concerned about the amount of rubbish we are producing, very few people are aware of how they can make a difference to help improve the matter.

"The fact is that over 60 per cent of the contents of our weekly rubbish bin can be recycled. It's just a matter of knowing how and where.

"The roadshow will provide many simple ideas to put into practice, such as taking cans, glass jars and paper to one of 400 recycling banks across the city, as part of our weekly shopping routine.

The fact is that over 60 per cent of the contents of our weekly rubbish bin can be recycled. It's just a matter of knowing how and where

Gareth Morton, Rethink Rubbish spokesman

"It is well worth a visit, if only to see the giant motorised dustbin in action."

In Swansea, residents throw away more than 110,000 tons of rubbish every year - enough to fill a 50-metre swimming pool 100 times over - and the volume is increasing all the time.

Currently 12 per cent of Swansea's domestic waste is recycled but the city has a Welsh Assembly target of 15 per cent to meet by 2004.

Swansea councillor David Jones, cabinet member for the environment, said: "In Swansea the amount of rubbish we throw away is growing year on year.

"Visitors to this roadshow will be able to see how they can really make a difference.

"This will be an interesting and fun way for people to learn how to do their bit for the environment."

The roadshow takes place in Swansea's Castle Square on 29 June from 1000 BST to 1500 BST.