pressrelease
Contact: Ruth Meeke
Tel: 07836 375062
January 8th 2007
ENVIRONMENT MINISTER
MARKS LOCAL RECYCLING SUCCESS
WITH 105 TREES FOR AFRICA (and one for the City Hall)
Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter and Minister of State for the Environment, will plant a tree at Exeter City Council offices on January 12 to mark the donation of 105 trees to a special project in Burkina Faso, West Africa, thanks to the efforts of local recyclers.
The trees result from a promise given by not for profit organisation, Alupro, to plant a tree for every tonne of aluminium cans and foil recycled over an 18-month period. Exeter was one of 300 local authorities which signed up for the challenge to boost recycling rates and help tackle climate change, and the tonnage of aluminium recycled locally has increased by a massive 35% (from 78 tonnes to 105 tonnes). A total of 65,818 trees will be planted as a result of UK recycling activity, including 55,089 donated to the African project.
Alupro's initiative,
which is being run with Bristol-based charity Tree Aid, has highlighted
how climate change is affecting sub-Saharan Africa, where trees are dying
earlier, and drought often causes food shortages. Replacing trees is vital
to prevent soil erosion and provide shade, and species such as mango,
cashew and baobab have been chosen for their food and medicinal uses.
All the trees are being grown from seed in the Gabio Forest, Burkina Faso,
before being given to local people and small commercial growers.
Ben Bradshaw will
congratulate local recyclers for supporting the initiative,
"Recycling has almost quadrupled since 1997 but we still have one
of the lowest recycling rates in Europe. This excellent initiative gives
local people another reason to recycle. By recycling aluminium Exonians
not only reduce the amount of rubbish dumped in the ground but also help
developing countries protect their environment."
The trees have been
donated by metal recycling company and Alupro member, Sims Metal, who
will be represented at the photo call by Mr. Peter Bird, general manager
for the South West division. Steve Freeman will represent Exeter City
Council. For further information about the campaign please contact Alupro
on 0845 7227722 or go to the website www.alupro.org.uk
ENDS
ENDSENDS
