20 October 2004
Celebrity impersonator Alistair McGowan is urging the public to make a big impression on reducing rubbish - by recycling it.
Launching 'the BIG recycle' national campaign on Monday, 18th October, Alistair said: "Most of us are aware of recycling and that it's a good thing to do, but not enough of us are doing it. Two-thirds of households in England already have access to a recycling service on their doorstep, so it has never been easier."
* "Research by 'the BIG recycle' campaign shows that whilst 90 per cent of people know that drinks cans can be recycled, only around 50 per cent say they have actually ever done it."
He added: "That's just one example, most of the packaging and paper in your bins can be recycled - that includes glass jars and bottles, newspaper and magazines, steel and aluminium food and drinks cans."
"All you need to do is separate your recyclable rubbish from the rest and find out where and how you can recycle it, where you live. Once you know what can be recycled and where, it's surprising how easy it is to get in the habit without even thinking."
Brumcan, Birmingham's leading community recycling organisation, operates weekly domestic doorstep collections to 16000 households in the Balsall Heath, Sparkbrook and Small Heath areas of the city. Black boxes have been given to residents to enable them to recycle food and drinks cans, glass bottles and jars, and unwanted clothes and shoes.
Nearly 2500 residents in high and medium rise flats in the city centre, Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Welsh House Farm and other areas of the city have been provided with mini recycling centres to recycle their food and drinks cans, newspaper and magazines, and glass bottles and jars.
Proceeds from the sale of recycled materials are split 50/50 between the residents groups involved and Brumcan. Information on the scheme can be obtained by ringing the Brumcan helpline 0121 326 3060.
'the BIG recycle' campaign follows a government funded national television advertising campaign to encourage householders to recycle more. The campaign website www.thebigrecycle.com provides in-depth information on what can be recycled, how it can be recycled and what recycling facilities exist in each region.
'the BIG recycle' is being jointly organised and funded by leading materials recycling organisations Alcan, British Glass, Corus, PaperChain, Recoup and the leading producer responsibility scheme Valpak, in partnership with WRAP, a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency. 'the BIG recycle' organising team also includes international recycling organisation Planet Ark and international re-manufacturer Environmental Business Products.
* Source of research NOP Omnibus 1,000 telephone calls 24th-26th September 2004
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Brumcan is a leading Birmingham based community recycling business, providing innovative and unique recycling services across Birmingham and Solihull. Established in 1991 by Friends of the Earth and CSV Environment, the organisation integrates environmental education and community outreach with practical recycling services. All profits are ploughed back into its' educational works. For more information about the organisation please see our website www.brumcan.co.uk or contact Lorna Langdon, General Manager on 0121 326 3061, email lorna@brumcan.co.uk
2. During 2003, Brumcan's weekly household collection and recycling service grew from 2,000 to 10,000 households served and recycled over 200 tonnes. It is now recycling with 16,000 households. The service uses innovative electric carts and provides a 50% share of the recycling profits back to local residents groups. For more information about this service please contact Claire Atkins, Kerbside Co-ordinator on 0121 326 3060 (day), email claire@brumcan.co.uk
3. The recycling scheme for the high rise estates is supported by funding from the CRED programme. The CRED Programme has been developed by the consortium of partners who have wide experience in developing and implementing community waste projects and regulating waste. The programme will give away £36.5 million of New Opportunities Fund Lottery money in grants of between £50,000 to £300,000 between 2003 and 2007. The Programme will support a wide variety of community based projects. Further information can be obtained from the CRED Programme press office Tel: (01636) 670045, Website: www.rswt.org/cred or Email: rtall@rswt.org/cred
4. During 2003 the Brumcan Waste Action Project worked directly with 485 residents from 15 community groups to raise awareness of waste and recycling through 15 workshops and 1 seminar. In total 33 community groups have been involved with the project either through workshops or meetings. A total of 80 workshops were held in ten schools with 3452 children benefited pupils participating. The workshops have resulted in 4 of the schools starting a total of 7 practical recycling activities involving paper and textiles recycling and composting; St. Bernadette's Primary and Bordesley Green Schools are two of these. For more information Brumcan's education and community outreach programme for schools and residents groups, please contact Ann Brookman, Waste Action Coordinator on 0121 326 3064 (day) , email ann@brumcan.co.uk This programme is supported by two environmental trusts, The Onyx Environmental Trust and WREN. The Onyx Environmental Trust is a registered charity and an approved Environmental Body formed under the Landfill Tax Regulations. For more information or to find out how to apply for funding, visit the Trust's website www.onyxenvtrust.org. WREN is a registered Environmental Body, which distributes the Landfill Tax Credits on behalf of Waste Recycling Group plc, in the form of grants. These grants are accessible to community projects that are situated within ten miles of an active Waste Recycling Group landfill site and recycling projects within Warwickshire and West Midlands. For an application pack and guidance on eligibility, please contact WREN '01953 717165, email wren@wren.org.uk or visit www.wren.org.uk
5. Further information on recycling can be found at www.recyclenow.com
6. All packaging materials have common aims for recycling and are faced by similar issues and legislation:
Alcan: www.thinkcans.com 01925 784137
British Glass www.britglass.org.uk 0114 2901850
Corus: www.scrib.org 01639 872343
PaperChain: www.paperchain2000.org.uk 01793 889612
Recoup: www.recoup.org 01733 390021
Further information on WRAP, Valpak, Planet Ark and Environmental Business Products can be found at:
WRAP: www.wrap.org.uk 0808 1002040
Valpak: www.valpak.co.uk 01789 208716
Planet Ark: www.planetark.com/uk 01743 231648
Environmental Business Products: www.inkagain.co.uk 0207 7278404 |
