Every Can Counts UK

  • ChrisUK

Drink Can Recycling Rate Remains at Record High in UK

Drink Can Recycling Rate Remains at Record High in UK 2560 1369 ChrisUK

Did you know? Drink cans are one of the most recycled beverage containers on the planet! But what percentage of drink cans are recycled in the UK?

82% of drink cans sold in the UK in 2021 were recycled, matching the record high rate set in 2020 when recycling was made easier for many due to the COVID-19 national lockdowns and ‘stay at home’ guidance.

Infographic displaying the percentage of drink cans recycled in UK. In the background there are towers of can bales and in the foreground is a white outline of a drink can. Inside this is the text '82% drink can recycling rate'

Click here to read the full news release by Alupro, the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation, announcing the 2021 UK aluminium packaging recycling rates.

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “These new figures are really encouraging. It’s fantastic to see that, despite people returning to life ‘on-the-go’ and despite a growing domestic market, more than four out of five of the drink cans sold in the UK are still being recycled.

“We now need to keep up this momentum and raise the bar even higher. Recycling our empty drink cans is something we can all do for the benefit of the environment. It might be a small action, but keeping that valuable aluminium in circulation really does make a difference.”

How to Help Us Boost the Percentage of Drink Cans Recycled in the UK

As we continue to work towards our vision of a 100% recycling rate for drink cans, here are some of the ways you can help:

  • Keep recycling your drink cans (especially while you’re on the go)!
  • If you can’t find a recycling bin while you’re out and about, take your empty can home with you and pop it into your curbside recycling bin.
  • Recycling drink cans really is as simple as that!

How We are helping to Boost the UK Drink Can Recycling Rate

  • We aim to encourage consumer behaviour change by raising awareness of the benefits of recycling drink cans
  • We also partner with businesses and organisations to make it easier for people to do the right thing with their empty cans.
  • After recent awareness campaigns in London’s Covent Garden and Newcastle city centre, we are now gearing up for a busy summer at events and festivals across the country.

Incredible Facts About Drink Cans

  • Drink cans are currently the UK’s most recycled beverage container.
  • Drink cans are able to be recycled, filled and back on a shop shelf in just 60 days, thanks to the efficient recycling infrastructure in place across Europe.
  • Aluminium (the metal that drink cans are made from) recycles forever!
  • Recycling drink cans uses 95% less energy than creating new ones from primary aluminium.
  • ChrisUK

A Canny Earth Day 2022 In Newcastle

A Canny Earth Day 2022 In Newcastle 2560 1625 ChrisUK

Grey’s Monument has been made more colourful for Earth Day 2022 with the arrival of the Every Can Counts rainbow installation in Newcastle city centre.

The Every Can Counts Rainbow in Newcastle for Earth Day 2022
Photo of woman touching the The Every Can Counts Rainbow.
Photo of dog running past the Every Can Counts Rainbow in Newcastle for Earth Day 2022.

About the #EveryCanCounts Rainbow

The impressive rainbow arch, measuring four metres high and seven metres wide, is made up from over 2,500 recycled drink cans.

It was installed by Every Can Counts in collaboration with Newcastle City Council to bring awareness to the importance of can recycling around Earth Day 2022 (Friday 22nd April).

Recycling in Newcastle

According to Every Can Counts’ research, Geordies drink an average of six cans a week, of which people say they recycle around 70% of empty cans.

Even though nine in 10 Geordies surveyed say that they understand the benefits of recycling, more than a quarter (27 per cent) admit that they don’t recycle while out of the house.

Furthermore, 68% of people in Newcastle say they are more concerned about the environment and their impact on it than they were this time last year.

Residents suggest that more recyclable packaging and monetary incentives such as the planned deposit return scheme would encourage them to recycle more.

Every Can Counts & Earth Day 2022 Prize Draw

The rainbow will remain on display by Grey’s Monument until Sunday evening. People are invited to post a photo of the installation on social media for the chance to win £100 in shopping vouchers. Click here to find out more about our incredible prize draw!

What We Had to Say about the Rainbow’s Visit to Newcastle

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “Our rainbow installation has toured all over the UK and we’re so excited that it’s finally making its debut in Newcastle for Earth Day. This year, the theme is ‘Invest in our Planet’, and that message has never been so important.

“Each and every one of us can make a difference and recycling our empty drink cans is an example of a small habit we can all adopt that has a positive impact on the environment. All of the cans collected in Newcastle over the weekend could be recycled and refilled on shop shelves in just 60 days – and because every can is infinitely recyclable, the benefits of keeping that valuable aluminium in circulation keep adding up again and again!

“Recycling rates were at an all-time high during the national lockdowns and, now that restrictions have been lifted, it’s essential that we keep up the momentum. We hope our colourful rainbow pop-up this weekend will inspire the people of Newcastle to do just that!”

Christine Herriot, Newcastle City Council’s director of operations and regulatory services, added: “It’s fantastic to have this eye-catching rainbow art installation in the heart of our city this weekend, which will certainly get people talking and help spread the message about the importance of recycling.

“We know residents take great pride in having a clean and tidy city, which was demonstrated by the incredible turn out for the Great British Spring Clean.

“We thank all of the volunteers, businesses and community groups who played their part in helping us to tidy up their communities and it shows what we can achieve for our environment when we work together.

“It’s important everyone continues to take responsibility and dispose of their empty packaging properly. If there is not a public bin nearby, or you arrive at a bin that is already full, please take your litter home and recycle it there instead.

“We hope everyone enjoys having their pictures taken with this brilliant piece of artwork this weekend and remembers the important message behind it.”

The Every Can Counts Rainbow in Newcastle for Earth Day 2022

Click here to find out more about Earth Day 2022.

  • Phoebe Kelly

Visit the #EveryCanCounts Rainbow in Covent Garden for Global Recycling Day 2022

Visit the #EveryCanCounts Rainbow in Covent Garden for Global Recycling Day 2022 2560 2194 Phoebe Kelly

The colourful recycled art installation is spending two weeks on display in the Covent Garden Piazza to celebrate Global Recycling Day 2022.

We’ve partnered with Covent Garden London to bring The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow to one of the capital’s most iconic and busiest locations.

The eye-catching installation, created from over 2,500 recycled cans, will be on display in the Covent Garden Piazza until the 30th of March. The signage surrounding the installation invites people to learn about the infinite life cycle of drink cans and passers-by can also recycle their empty cans in the ‘pots of gold’ at each end of the rainbow.

The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow Arrives in Covent Garden

The installation was unveiled in Covent Garden on Thursday 17th March, ahead of Global Recycling Day 2022 on the 18th. A team of Every Can Counts recycling ambassadors wearing can recycling backpacks also supported the launch of the campaign. The ambassadors conducted face-to-face recycling surveys with people during the first four days of the campaign, helping to communicate the benefits of can recycling and inspire positive behaviour change.

To help raise awareness of the campaign on social media, we’re inviting people to enter our #EveryCanCounts prize draw by taking a photo with the installation and posting it on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. A £250 gift card and a Venchi 1kg chocolate egg are up for grabs! Full competition details can be found by clicking here.

What is Global Recycling Day?

Global Recycling Day falls on March 18 each year and aims to promote the vitality of recycling across the globe. It is a day for action, for the world to come together to put the planet first, and to change the mind-set of governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world, to see recyclables as a resource.

Click here to find out more about Global Recycling Day 2022.

  • ChrisUK

Every Can Counts Announces New Partnership with Canned Wine Co.

Every Can Counts Announces New Partnership with Canned Wine Co. 2560 1707 ChrisUK

Every Can Counts has announced its latest brand partnership with premium canned wine producer, Canned Wine Co.

The partnership between the not-for-profit recycling programme and the canned wine company will see both brands work together to help inspire and encourage drink can recycling amongst consumers in the UK.

Founded in 2019 by the trio, Simon Rollings, Lisa Solovieva and Ben Franks, Canned Wine Co. aims to make exciting and high-quality wine more convenient and accessible to drinkers in portioned cans, whilst also helping to reduce the environmental impact of wine by using aluminium packaging.

The award-winning Bath-based business has grown rapidly over the past two years – increasing its range to six wines, supplying the National Trust sites and hundreds of independent venues across the UK, and expanding to Ireland, Sweden, The Netherlands and Greece.

Simon Rollings, co-founder and CEO of Canned Wine Co., said: “Reducing waste, both wine wastage and packaging, is at the core of our brand. The infinite recyclability and lower carbon footprint compared to bottles made cans the obvious packaging choice.

As canned wines are frequently consumed in outdoor settings, we want to explicitly encourage the recycling of aluminium cans. The partnership with Every Can Counts is an important pillar of our upcoming sustainability strategy, and we are excited to use Every Can Counts bins at events around the country to help more cans enter the recycling loop.”

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to announce our latest drink brand partnership with Canned Wine Co. Their mission to bring more sustainable choices to consumers and the drink industry really resonates with what Every Can Counts is all about.

“We’re looking forward to working with Canned Wine Co. to raise awareness about the endless recyclability of drink cans and encourage people to do their bit to keep the cycle going.”

Every Can Counts collaborates with drink manufacturers as well as the wider drink can and recycling industries as part of its mission to reach a 100% drink can recycling rate.

The programme and its funders help to raise awareness of the importance of recycling empty drink cans with marketing activity and on-the-ground consumer engagement. This includes exhibiting an eye-catching rainbow installation made from recycled cans, which has appeared in multiple high-profile locations across the country and was most recently in Glasgow during COP26.

Every Can Counts also runs a Green Can Award scheme which recognises the recycling efforts of local businesses, community groups and charities. The programme also works to make it easier for consumers to recycle their empty cans while they’re out-of-home, and its team of ambassadors spread the recycling message and collect cans at many festivals and public events throughout the year.

For more details about Canned Wine Co., visit www.cannedwine.co.

Every Can Counts x Canned Wine Co.
  • ChrisUK

Exeter Recycling Initiative Wins Green Can Award

Exeter Recycling Initiative Wins Green Can Award 2419 1076 ChrisUK

Exeter City Council and Exeter City Football Club (ECFC) have been presented with a Green Can Award for their innovative recycling initiative, Cans 4 City, which encourages Exeter football fans to recycle used drink cans while also raising money for charity.

Cans 4 City during the Sky Bet League 2 between Exeter City and Hartlepool United at St James Park, Exeter on 29 Jan.
Cans 4 City during the Sky Bet League 2 between Exeter City and Hartlepool United at St James Park, Exeter on 29 Jan.
Cans 4 City during the Sky Bet League 2 between Exeter City and Hartlepool United at St James Park, Exeter on 29 Jan.

 The prize-giving took place during half-time in Saturday’s match against Hartlepool United, with over 5,000 fans in attendance.   

Who Are Cans4City?

Since 2020, the initiative has collected nearly seven tonnes of aluminium packaging to raise more than £6,000 for projects and initiatives run both by the club and its partner charity, Exeter City Community Trust (ECCT).  In recent years, donations have been put towards Exeter City Community Trust’s Supported Housing project, a mental health programme for ECFC Academy, ECFC’s Women’s Team and a number of improvements to St James Park and its Memorial Garden.  

The Cans 4 City recycling initiative was launched back in 2005 by Exeter City Football Club as a means to support the club financially, but really picked up momentum after partnering with Exeter City Council in 2019.   

Working in conjunction with the council’s waste management department, Cans 4 City now runs upwards of 20 aluminium recycling points in Exeter and throughout Devon, including many on ECFC’s grounds, and has recruited over 100 volunteers.  

As well as collecting aluminium donations from designated drop-off points, Cans 4 City raises money by partnering with community litter picks and beach cleans across Devon and Cornwall.

What We Had To Say About the Award

Matt Hulland, Resource Recovery Manager for Exeter City Council, who helped set up the initiative at the club, said: “We’re so glad that our work is being celebrated with this national award. Cans 4 City has achieved so much already, thanks to our amazing volunteers and the club’s fans too, as they’ve contributed more than half of the aluminium cans recycled since 2020.  

“I really think we’ve tapped into something clever with this initiative. By unlocking the monetary value of our waste, we’ve succeeding in helping both the planet and our local community.”  

Cllr David Harvey, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for City Management, said: “This is a great initiative, not only helping the environment by preventing cans going to waste unnecessarily, but also helping raise valuable funding for Exeter City Community Trust. I can’t speak more highly of the scheme which is fully deserving of its recognition at national level.”

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “We were extremely impressed with what Cans 4 City has accomplished. Not only has the initiative helped to keep a huge number of endlessly recyclable drink cans in circulation, but the money raised by doing so has been put to good use in the local area.  

“This is a fantastic example of a community-led project working with its local council to deliver real benefits to both the local community and the wider environment. We hope other organisations around the country get inspired by what Cans 4 City has achieved and follow in the footsteps of this great initiative.” 

Find Out More About the Cans4City Recycling Initiative

To find out more about the Cans 4 City scheme, visit https://news.exeter.gov.uk/cans-4-city-supporting-exeter-city-community-trust/.  

What is the Green Can Award?

  • This national recycling award recognises businesses, organisations, people and other recycling initiatives who are going above and beyond when it comes to drink can recycling.
  • We want to put a spotlight on those who are going the extra mile to make their cans count, and inspire others to follow in their footsteps!
  • Whether you’ve set up new recycling points, started running workplace awareness events, recruiting a recycling champion or you’re collecting cans for a charitable cause –  we want to hear from you!

How Can I Apply for this Recycling Award?

Any business, organisation or individual whose activities have promoted can recycling and/or demonstrably increased recycling rates can apply. Visit our web page to apply now!

The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow in Glasgow
  • ChrisUK

The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow Arrives in Glasgow for COP26

The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow Arrives in Glasgow for COP26 2560 1863 ChrisUK

To mark COP26, the #EveryCanCounts rainbow archway is being displayed in Shawlands Civic Square in partnership with Glasgow City Council to remind people of the importance of recycling empty drink cans.

The eye-catching installation, in front of Langside Halls, is made from more than 2,500 brightly coloured recycled drink cans and measures four metres high and seven metres wide.

It took four people more than five hours to construct and will remain in place until 4th November to spread the recycling message over the first week of the climate change conference.

Recycling in Glasgow

  • Our own research suggests that more than 2.8 million drink cans are bought and used each week throughout Glasgow.
  • Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and recycling just one can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours.
  • If all of these cans were recycled, it would give greenhouse gas savings equivalent to taking more than 7,200 cars off the city’s roads for a week.
  • Eight in 10 of those questioned say they always use recycling bins if they are available in public places, with more than seven in 10 claiming that they would recycle more while out and about if there were a greater number of recycling bins.
  • In fact, almost two thirds of Glaswegians say they have become more concerned about the environment and their impact on it over the last 12 months. Half believe this is due to Glasgow’s involvement in the conference.  

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said:

“The rainbow is our way of reminding people about the importance of recycling cans at a time when the environment is firmly on the city’s agenda.

“Recycling an empty drink can is such an easy thing that each of us can do to help the planet. It might not seem like much, but every can is endlessly recyclable and making a can from recycled metal rather than raw materials uses 95% less energy and produces 95% less greenhouse gas emissions.

“In 2020, a record four out of five drink cans sold in the UK were recycled, given peoples’ lifestyles changed dramatically and we spent much of the year in lockdown. We want to continue making progress now the country has opened back up and our ultimate goal is to achieve a 100% recycling rate for drink cans.”

Councillor Anna Richardson, City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction at Glasgow City Council, said:

“This installation is a reminder of the importance of recycling, and the significant environmental benefits it brings.  We can all play our part in reducing emissions by recycling as much as we can.”

Alison Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, said:

I am thrilled to see the Every Can Counts rainbow in my constituency. It acts as a key reminder of the importance of recycling more and keeping our streets tidy over the course of the landmark COP26 Summit and beyond.

I’m looking forward to seeing people share their photos of this impressive rainbow sculpture, whilst remembering the message behind it. Shifting towards infinitely recyclable materials like aluminium and keeping these materials in circulation by recycling is something we can all do to progress towards a truly circular economy, and to meet the aims of this pivotal Summit in Glasgow.

Visit the #EveryCanCounts Rainbow for COP26

The rainbow makes for an ideal photo backdrop, and Every Can Counts is running a social media photo competition offering the chance to win a £100 shopping voucher and a £500 donation to an environmental charity of your choice. To enter, take a snap of the rainbow and upload it to social media using #COP26Glasgow and tagging @EveryCanCountsUK on Facebook/Instagram or @EveryCanCounts on Twitter.

What is COP26?

COP26 is the 2021 United Nations climate change conference. For nearly 30 years the UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits. These are known as COPs – which stands for ‘Conference of the Parties’. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority.

This year will be the 26th annual summit, therefore giving it then name COP26. If you want to find out more about COP26, you can visit the website here: https://ukcop26.org/

Every Can Counts at Birmingham Pride 2021
  • ChrisUK

RECYCLE WEEK PART 2: BIRMINGHAM PRIDE

RECYCLE WEEK PART 2: BIRMINGHAM PRIDE 1200 1600 ChrisUK

Every Can Counts partners with Bullring & Grand Central and Birmingham Hippodrome to celebrate Birmingham Pride and encourage everyone taking part in the celebrations to recycle their empty cans.

The #EveryCan Counts Rainbow, created from over 2,500 recycled cans, has arrived in Birmingham city centre. The installation appeared on Central Street outside the Bullring overnight on Thursday 23rd September and will be on display until the close of Birmingham’s Pride 2021 celebrations on Sunday 26th September.

Kicking off the weekend celebrations, the #EveryCanCounts Rainbow received a special welcome on Friday afternoon from glam disco king Boogaloo Stu on the snail stage and a drive time takeover with Gaydio. An Every Can Counts team of recycling ambassadors are in action around the rainbow installation all weekend collecting cans and spreading the recycling message.

The rainbow’s arrival in Birmingham means that the installation has visited the UK’s two largest cities during Recycle Week 2021. From St Paul’s Cathedral in the heart of London to the centre of Birmingham in time for the Pride celebrations, we’re having a CANtastic week raising awareness about the benefits of can recycling and inspiring people to recycle more!

The rainbow makes for an ideal photo backdrop, and we’re running a social media photo competition offering the chance to win a £250 shopping voucher. To enter, take a snap of the rainbow and upload it to social media using #EveryCanCounts and tagging @EveryCanCountsUK (Instagram/Facebook) or @EveryCanCounts (Twitter). For full competition terms & conditions visit: www.everycancounts.co.uk/recycleweek2021.




The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow in front of St Paul's Cathedral, London
  • ChrisUK

RECYCLE WEEK PART 1: LONDON

RECYCLE WEEK PART 1: LONDON 2560 1707 ChrisUK

Every Can Counts celebrates Recycle Week 2021 by partnering with City of London Corporation to bring a giant rainbow installation to the heart of the capital. The eye-catching archway, created from over 2,500 recycled cans, appeared in Carter Lane Gardens overnight on Thursday 16th September and will remain in place until Thursday 23rd.




The installation aims to inspire more people to recycle their empty cans by highlighting the environmental benefits delivered through can recycling.

In the first three months of this year, the total volume of domestic recycling collected in the City of London was up by nearly 10 tonnes on 2020, as lockdown restrictions made it easier for people to recycle at home.

However, Every Can Counts’ own research suggests that seven in 10 of those in London say they have noticed more litter over the past year, and most of these people believe this is as a direct result of the pandemic.

67% of those surveyed say they take packaging home to recycle if there aren’t recycling facilities in public places, with nearly eight in 10 (78%) claiming that they would recycle more while out and about if there were a greater number of recycling bins.

According to Every Can Counts, more than 30 million drink cans are bought and used each week across London. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and recycling just one can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours. If all of these cans were recycled, it would give greenhouse gas savings equivalent to taking more than 30,000 cars off the capital’s roads for a week.

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said:

“You couldn’t really pick a more iconic London location than right in front of St Paul’s Cathedral. And the workmanship that’s gone into the installation really is quite impressive.

“The rainbow is our way of reminding people about the importance of recycling cans at a time when the environment is on the agenda, ahead of Recycle Week and in the lead-up to the UN Climate Change Conference.

“Recycling an empty drink can is a small thing that each of us can do for the benefit of the environment, and these small actions all add up. Not only are drink cans endlessly recyclable, but making a can from recycled metal uses 95% less energy and produces 95% less greenhouse gas emissions. We’re here to raise awareness of these significant benefits and inspire more people to make a difference by doing the right thing with their empty cans.

“In 2020, a record four out of five drink cans sold in the UK were recycled, as we spent much of the year locked down at home with easy access to recycling bins. We now want to keep this up as things return to normality, and our goal at Every Can Counts is to continue making progress towards a 100% recycling rate for drink cans.”

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Environmental Services Health Committee, Keith Bottomley, said:

“It’s fantastic to be part of such an innovative campaign as part of Recycle Week this year.

“For us, promoting recycling and protecting the environment are top priorities.

“Those who work, visit and live in the Square Mile are right to expect a very high standard of environmental sustainability. As a world-leading financial centre, they deserve the best.”

Nickie Aiken, MP for Cities of London and Westminster, said:

“It’s wonderful to see this eye-catching rainbow in the heart of my constituency. It will be a timely reminder to all our visitors returning to the city centre to recycle more and keep our streets tidy.

“I’m looking forward to seeing people share their photos of this impressive rainbow sculpture, while remembering the message behind it. Recycling an empty drink can is one simple thing that each of us can do for the benefit of the environment and it will help us progress towards a truly circular economy.”

The rainbow makes for an ideal photo backdrop, and Every Can Counts is running a social media photo competition offering the chance to win a £250 shopping voucher. To enter, take a snap of the rainbow and upload it to social media using #EveryCanCounts and tagging @EveryCanCountsUK (Instagram/Facebook) or @EveryCanCounts (Twitter). For full competition terms & conditions visit: www.everycancounts.co.uk/recycleweek2021.

  • ChrisUK

MAKING EVERY CAN COUNT AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX

MAKING EVERY CAN COUNT AT THE BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2081 2081 ChrisUK

We joined forces with Silverstone race circuit to encourage people to recycle their empty drink cans at this year’s British Grand Prix.

With a crowd of over 140,000 fans in attendance at the race on Sunday, and 350,000 in attendance across the weekend, the 2021 British Grand Prix became the largest event to take place in the UK since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

And with 30 degree heat over the weekend, there was no shortage of cans being enjoyed around the circuit. We knew we were in the right place to make a real difference!  

Our partnership with Silverstone brought two head-turning can recycling installations to the event: our famous #EveryCanCounts Rainbow installation and brand new SILVERSTONE can recycling cages. Both installations were hugely popular photo opportunities, providing race fans with a lasting memory of their British Grand Prix experience while also keeping recycling front of mind.

While the cars were racing around the track, we also had a team of recycling ambassadors doing laps of their own around the venue. Our team conducted recycling surveys and spread the word about the benefits of recycling drink cans, while their can recycling backpacks made it easier for attendees to recycle around the circuit.

We’d like to think our messaging impacted Sebastian Vettel over the weekend, who stuck around after the Grand Prix to take part in a litter pick. Any cans collected during the pick were separated at a sorting facility and then recycled. Vettel commented: “I think it is important that we all respect the environment and don’t rely on other people to clear up after us. We have to start somewhere and each one of us can make a difference now.” Well said Seb – we couldn’t agree more!

Our ‘CAN do’ attitude clearly rubbed off on reigning champion Lewis Hamilton too, who took a crowd-pleasing home victory in Sunday’s race which only enhanced the electric atmosphere around the circuit.

We really enjoyed our first ever British Grand Prix and want to thank everyone who recycled their cans with us over the weekend. Aluminium recycles forever, so who knows – maybe those recycled cans will end up as part of a racing car doing laps around Silverstone one day! ♻️

Want to find out more about Every Can Counts? Get in touch with our team here.


The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow Comes To Cardiff
  • ChrisUK

THE #EVERYCANCOUNTS RAINBOW COMES TO CARDIFF

THE #EVERYCANCOUNTS RAINBOW COMES TO CARDIFF 2560 1704 ChrisUK

We’ve partnered with Cardiff Council to bring The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow to the Welsh capital!

The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow archway has popped up on The Hayes in Cardiff city centre, as part of a campaign to encourage Cardiff residents to recycle their empty cans. The installation is created from over 2,500 recycled drink cans and will remain in place until Sunday evening. Our team of Every Can Counts recycling ambassadors will be roaming Cardiff city centre and Bute Park over the weekend to spread the recycling message while collecting cans.

In the first three months of this year, the total volume of domestic recycling in Cardiff was up 23% on 2020, as lockdown restrictions made it easier for people to recycle at home. However, in the same period, 81 tonnes of litter processed in the Council depot was collected from the city’s public places – a massive 55% increase year-on-year – with more people enjoying time outdoors and socialising with family and friends throughout the city.

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “We’re so excited to unveil our vibrant rainbow installation in Cardiff city centre to remind people about the importance of recycling as restrictions lift across the country.

“Recycling an empty drink can is just one small thing that each of us can do for the benefit of the environment. All of the cans collected in Cardiff over the weekend could be recycled and refilled on shop shelves in just 60 days – and then infinitely recycled again and again.

“Last year, a record four out of five drink cans sold in the UK were recycled, and this was helped by the fact that we spent much of the year locked down at home with easy access to recycling bins. We now want to keep this up as things return to normality, so we can make our goal of recycling each and every drink can sold a reality.”

Councillor Michael Michael, Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, Recycling and Environment, said: “We’re thrilled that Cardiff is the first city to welcome this fantastic art installation to Wales.

“Rainbows have become especially symbolic in recent times, so it is sure to catch the attention of our residents and visitors in the heart of the city centre.

“We want everyone to use the litter bins provided when they’re out and about in Cardiff. We have 240 litter bins in the city centre and usually around 134,000 daily visitors to the city centre. We would encourage them to take their litter with them if the bins are full.

“We know that most people want a clean city and dispose of their litter correctly. Our Love Where You Live campaign with Keep Cardiff Tidy has gone from strength to strength with more people signing up to become Litter Champions and helping to keep their local communities clean, we’re grateful and thankful to each and every volunteer.

“I’m looking forward to seeing people share their photos of this impressive rainbow sculpture while remembering the message behind it and recycling their drinks cans and other waste.”

Julie James, the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change said: “This is an excellent project and a powerful, visual reminder that, when it comes to recycling, we can do even more to stay on track to meet our goal of zero waste by 2050.

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in this project and also to thank everybody in Wales for their efforts that make us a recycling nation – one of the best in the world – and for helping us progress towards a circular, low carbon economy.”

The rainbow makes for an ideal photo backdrop, and Every Can Counts is running a social media photo competition offering the chance to win a £200 shopping voucher. To enter, take a snap of the rainbow and upload it to social media using #EveryCanCounts and tagging @EveryCanCountsUK (Instagram/Facebook) or @EveryCanCounts (Twitter). Click here for more information about the competition, including terms & conditions.

  • The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow Comes To Cardiff
  • The #EveryCanCounts Rainbow Comes To Cardiff

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