Armley recycling drive collects 5,000 aluminium cans

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Over recent months, the community-led recycling drive in Armley, Leeds, has collected 5,000 aluminium cans, which have raised money to help Leeds City Mission (LCM) outreach and cut down on local waste.

The initiative, led by volunteers, staff, and supporters, involved gathering discarded cans from streets and post-event waste. The collected material was checked, crushed, and sorted before being transported to LCM’s centre on Mistress Lane, opposite Armley Library. From there, sacks filled with aluminium cans and foil were taken to a recycling facility and exchanged for cash.

LCM Development Worker Andy Dalton said the effort aligns with the organisation’s long-standing focus on reuse and recycling. “We live in a throw-away society. But as we say in Yorkshire – where there’s muck there’s brass!” he said, highlighting both the environmental and financial impact of the drive. He added that the initiative has made “a small contribution to litter reduction and recycling metal as well as raising vital funds for City Mission work.”

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Volunteers involved in the campaign noted the unexpectedly large volume of aluminium waste collected in a short period, underlining the scale of disposable packaging in urban areas.

Founded in 1837, Leeds City Mission is among the city’s oldest charities, working with marginalised and vulnerable groups. Its Compassion Centre in Armley provides services including a food bank, clothing support, a free shower facility for people experiencing homelessness, and community programmes aimed at helping individuals reconnect with mainstream life.

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