pressrelease

Contact: Ruth Meeke
Tel: 01527 597757

July 1st 2008

CHRISTCHURCH CE (VC) PRIMARY SCHOOL LAUNCH LICHFIELD COUNCIL'S RECYCLE FOR AFRICA CAMPAIGN

Christchurch Primary School in Lichfield are known for their green initiatives at school and the pupils are urging recyclers in the District to support the "Recycle for Africa" campaign. The children's message to recyclers couldn't be more simple, please use your kerbside recycling boxes, to recycle aluminium drinks cans and foil with Lichfield District Council.

The council has signed up to a scheme called 'Recycle for Africa' which promises to grow a fruit tree in Malawi for every tonne of aluminium drinks cans and foil recycled over the next two years, so the more we recycle, the more trees will be grown.

Recycling aluminium is 20 times more efficient than making it from the raw material, bauxite, so getting the recycling habit saves massive amounts of energy, and will now also help reach the target of growing 85,000 trees in rural Malawi.

The initiative is being run by not for profit organisation Alupro in partnership with British charity Ripple Africa in a bid to tackle de-forestation, improve nutrition and, as crop volumes improve, establish new businesses for fruit drying and juicing.

Pupils from Christchurch Primary School have been learning how recycling aluminium can make a difference to children in Malawi. Christine Cole from Lichfield District

Council, who has been working with Christchurch Primary School commented "This is a very exciting project as the children can learn that they can make a direct impact, by encouraging their family and friends to use their kerbside recycling boxes. The children have learnt that they will be helping to tackle three of the main problems people face in Malawi: poverty, nutrition and de-forestation. Growing high-value trees means that they will not be chopped down for firewood, which is a major cause of de-forestation, leading to poor soil, crop failure - and then more woodland cleared to grow food."

Ruth Meeke, Programme Manager for Alupro commented, "Alupro is delighted Lichfield District Council is taking part in the "Recycle for Africa" campaign. Nearly 300 local authorities are taking part in the campaign over the UK. 4,000 schools have received a schools education pack detailing the project, showing how we all can make a difference to peoples lives in Malawi by just using kerbside recycling boxes to recycle their alucans and foil. We hope residents in Lichfield will support the project".

Anyone wanting more information on the "Recycle for Africa" campaign can log onto www.alupro.org.uk to find out more or telephone Alupro on Tel 0845 7227722.

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