Date: 01/03/04

Brumcan Extend The Range Of Materials Recycled!

Brumcan has announced three new materials that they now accept for recycling. Aerosols, mobile phones and printer cartridges can now all be put in the black recycling box collected from residents in Small Heath and Balsall Heath.

Currently serving 12,000 households Brumcan has been collecting glass bottles/ jars, food and drink cans, clothes and shoes from households for over a year. It is forcasted that by extending the materials collected the tonnages recycled and participation by residents will increase. Claire Atkins Kerbside Co-Ordinator says,

"Aerosols, mobile phones and printer cartridges are all items that are found in Birmingham households. We want residents to use our black recycling boxes to dispose of these. If all 12,000 households recycled just one aerosol per week we would be able to increase our tonnages recycled significantly."

Increased tonnages recycled also results in additonal benefits to the local community as more profits from the sale of recycables are generated. Brumcan returns 50% of the profits back to local residents groups to spend on environmental and educational projects.

Brumcan are also involved with Alupros campaign to recycle cans. For every tonne of aluminium cans recycled between June 2003- July 2004 Alupro will donate a tree. Brumcan are hoping to be able to donate at least one tree each to Balsall Heath and Small Heath.

Any residents who require advice about how to use their black recycling box should contact the Recycling Help Line 0121 326 3060.

~ENDS~

Notes to Editors:

1. Brumcan is a Birmingham based community recycling business, established in 1991 by Friends of the Earth. The organisation integrates education and community involvement activities with practical collection and recycling services. For more information about the organisation please see our website www.brumcan.co.uk or contact Lorna Langdon 0121 326 3061.

2. For more information about the household recycling collections please contact Claire Atkins Kerbside Co-Ordinator on 0121 326 3060 or e-mail claire@brumcan.co.uk

For more information about Alupro and their campaign to recycle aluminium cans please telephone 01527 597 757.