Every Can Counts helps divert 51m cans from landfill

This equates to 774 tonnes of aluminium and steel collected and around 5,800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions saved as a result of the programme.

Every Can Counts - which is funded by a partnership comprising of 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 the programme’s launch.

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%. The programme has also developed a model for drinks can recycling at outdoor events. Around one million drinks cans, which equates to nearly 15 tonnes of aluminium and steel, were collected by Every Can Counts across ten music festivals in 2011.

To date, nearly 700 organisations around the UK are registered with the programme, with almost 5,000 Every Can Counts branded collection points at over 1,900 individual sites.

Originally launched as a trial programme to test the barriers and drivers to successful recycling outside the home, Every Can Counts said it has now established a model to help organisations that are working towards sustainability objectives, such as zero waste to landfill. The programme was cited as an example of best practice in the government's 2011 Waste Review.