Two recycling groups are celebrating after being recognised in a national awards scheme that champions outstanding recycling efforts. The initiatives, run by LINK19 College in Gravesend, Kent, and The Welfare Park in Parkeston, North East Essex, were named winners of the Green Can Award by not-for-profit organisation, Every Can Counts, in recognition of their achievements after collectively raising more than GBP 4,200 for local causes.
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LINK19 College has improved its recycling practices and raised awareness of the importance of protecting the planet, including by installing dedicated aluminium recycling bins for learners and staff, which have collected over 500 kg of cans in the last year alone.
The GBP 465 raised through can collection has been reinvested into the college and other community causes, including purchasing PPE to support the work of Gravesham Street Champions and Surfers Against Sewage organisations also committed to caring for the environment. The college has also installed vegetable planters to allow learners to start their own growing projects.
Meanwhile, Every Can Counts Supporting The Welfare Park Parkeston, brings together local residents aged between seven and 80 years old, pubs, clubs, and litter pickers to collect and recycle used drink cans across North East Essex.
This, combined with the group’s 16 recycling bins installed in the area, has enabled an impressive 1.5 million aluminium cans to be recycled since 2019, with the GBP 3,750 this has generated invested into The Welfare Park in Parkeston, a safe space and play area for children of all ages and physical abilities.
Maria Barry, Assistant Lead at LINK19 College, said: “I’m so proud of our learners and staff for going above and beyond their academic studies to make a difference to the local community and our planet and earning this recognition from Every Can Counts.
“The dedication they’ve shown over the last 12 months is amazing and I know they’ll continue to build on their efforts, helping our college to do even bigger and better things for the environment.”
Janette Allan, leader of Every Can Counts Supporting The Welfare Park Parkeston, said: “This award is a great acknowledgement of all the hard work our brilliant volunteers put into recycling aluminium cans in our local area. We’re incredibly proud of our efforts and know that collecting over 1.5 million used cans is a real achievement, so to be recognised by Every Can Counts is the icing on the cake.
“Our members are very passionate about protecting the planet and our local area as well as looking after The Welfare Park, a space at the centre of our community. We’re excited to see where our recycling journey leads next!”
Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager at Every Can Counts, added: “Both of these recycling schemes are an inspiration and so deserving of our Green Can Award.
“The difference they’re making within their local communities is not only impressive, but it also sets a great example of how people can boost aluminium recycling rates whilse raising funds for causes that make a real difference in their local area.
“Aluminium can be recycled time after time and every empty drink can could be recycled and back on sale as a brand-new can in just 60 days. We look forward to seeing these groups continue to make a difference and we hope they inspire others across the UK to set-up community-based recycling initiatives of their own.”
Note: This article has been issued by Every Cand has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data
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