51 Million Cans and Counting For UK Recycling Programme

On-the-go drink can recycling programme, Every Can Counts has helped to collect some 51 million used beverage containers from workplaces and on-the-go locations in 2011.

According to the programme, this equates to 774 tonnes of aluminium and steel collected and around 5800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions saved.

The not-for-profit organisation said that on average each employee at workplaces registered with the programme recycled five cans per month, which represents a year on year increase in workplace recycling performance of 25%.

According to Every Can Counts, around 30% of the 9.5 billion cans sold every year are consumed outside the home; mainly in workplaces and whilst 'on the go', so they do not get picked up for recycling through local authority collections for domestic waste.

The programme said that it addresses this gap by helping organisations to set up and promote recycling schemes to staff and customers.

Results from participating organisations show that, although the programme targets drinks cans, volumes of other recyclables are also claimed to increase as a result of using Every Can Counts branded resources.

The programme said that it also developed a viable model for drinks can recycling at outdoor events, and collected approximately 1 million drinks cans, nearly 15 tonnes of aluminium and steel, across ten music festivals in 2011.

To date, nearly 700 organisations across the UK are registered with the programme, which has deployed almost 5000 Every Can Counts branded collection points at over 1900 individual sites.

Every Can Counts, which is funded by a partnership comprising UK and European drinks can manufacturers, the aluminium and steel packaging and recycling industries, and energy drinks brand Red Bull, announced the results to mark the third anniversary of its launch.

The initiative was originally launched as a trial programme to test the barriers and drivers to successful recycling outside the home.

According to the programme it has now established a model to help organisations that are working towards sustainability objectives, such as zero waste to landfill, and was cited as an example of best practice in the Government Review of Waste Policy in England 2011.

International ambitions

With a name and brand identity that works well in any language, the Every Can Counts programme has now been replicated in France, Austria, Romania and Hungary, with more European markets looking to follow suit.

According to Rick Hindley, director of Every Can Counts, the development of branded programmes in Europe offers the programme the opportunity to promote can recycling under a single 'brand' identify across a wide market.

He added that it offers programme partners a platform for demonstrating extended producer responsibility and making an impact on recycling rates across the EU.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg? We have some exciting plans in preparation for 2012, which we hope will keep us at the forefront of developments in this challenging area," concluded Hindley.