pressrelease

Contact: Ruth Meeke
Tel: 01527 597757

July 10th, 2006

OVER ONE MILLION ALUMINIUM CANS RECYCLED BY ISLANDERS BACKING THE 'TREES FOR THE UK TREES FOR AFRICA' CAMPAIGN

Recyclers on the Island are backing a recycling campaign that will give the Isle of Wight one native tree for every tonne of aluminium cans and foil recycled on the island, and at the same time help grow trees in a sustainable forest project in West Africa. The recycling campaign was launched last July on the island proving the Isle of Wight residents to be champion recyclers, to date recycling over 18 tonnes of aluminium cans (1,170,000 cans).

The Trees for the UK/Trees for Africa campaign, which is sponsored by not-for profit organisation Alupro (Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation), has been developed from Alupro's very successful 2003/4 'recycle for trees' promotion, which led to 35,000 trees being planted across the UK last winter. The initiative provides a reward for recyclers which improves their landscape, with trees being planted in local parks and woodland. The appeal will also be helping to develop a well-managed sustainable forest training programme in the drylands of Africa.

All of the cans deposited in the islands can banks are collected and recycled by Haylands Farm and sold to Island Waste Services and have the support of Isle of Wight Council. Charles Cook , Manager at Haylands Farm commented, "We have been recycling aluminium cans and foil for well over 10 years and annually recycle over half a million aluminium drinks cans from the island can banks. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to expand our recycling services working with the Isle of Wight Council and Island Waste Services. We are pleased to be able to play a part in the Trees for the UK Trees for Africa campaign, not only making the island greener but helping plant a forest in Africa".

Ruth Meeke, Regional Programme Manager for Alupro, commented, "When Islanders recycle their aluminium cans through their local bring sites, residents will really be taking environmental action. Recycling aluminium uses only five per cent of the energy needed to make it from raw material, and with recycled cans often back on the shelf just six weeks later, the energy savings quickly grow. So I would urge anyone who isn't recycling their aluminium cans to find out where they can, by either contacting Haylands Farm Tel 01983 566038 or Sarah Buttress, Waste Minimisation and Recycling Officer, Isle of Wight Council Tel 01983 821000."

For further information please contact Alupro on 0845 7227722 or look on the website www.alupro.org.uk .

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