KENT’S newest trade fair has been launched at an event in Dartford.

The “Buying Greener in the South East” event was launched by the former Secretary of State for the Environment, the Rt Hon John Gummer MP, who made a keynote speech to over 150 delegates from a diverse range of business and local authorities from across the South East.

Leading UK suppliers such as Cleanaway, Premier Paper and Guilbert (UK) Ltd attended the trade fair to showcase a wide range of products made from recycled materials, as well as environmental and energy saving services.

A series of workshops were held to inform delegates on subjects varying from compliance with current and upcoming environmental legislation to buying high-quality recycled products for the workplace.

Diana Lock, programme manager for ReMaDe Kent & Medway, said: “The Remade Thames Gateway Group is delighted that the event has been such a success.

“The key message, that recycled goods can be as good as or better than standard products, needs to reach as wide an audience as possible.

“Our event was an excellent start to raising awareness about the wide-ranging benefits of using recycled products, and one which we hope to build on at further events throughout 2004.”