Infinity Room

  • Phoebe Kelly

To Infinity and Beyond: The Infinity Room Opens at Xplore! Science Discovery Centre

To Infinity and Beyond: The Infinity Room Opens at Xplore! Science Discovery Centre 2560 1707 Phoebe Kelly

The #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room exhibit has opened at Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, the home of science in North Wales.

Experience Infinity

The ‘Infinity Room’ installation marks a new experience for visitors to Xplore! Science Discovery Centre and is free to access for members of the public.

The installation aims to teach all ages about the importance of recycling drink cans, as well as illustrating the infinite recyclability of aluminium.

Made up of 1,500 recycled cans and 25 square metres of mirrors, the focal point is a giant drink can and those who step inside will find themselves in a mirrored room that creates an illusion of being surrounded by an infinite number of suspended aluminium cans. At the same time, a narrator will take them on an educational journey through aluminium can recycling and its environmental benefits.

Resident Reactions Towards Recycling

New research from Every Can Counts into the recycling habits of those in Wrexham found on average, people enjoy around four canned drinks per week.

Respondents said they recycled 90% of these cans on average, but just under half (45%) of respondents living in Wrexham said they always use recycling bins when out and about in public places, while only a third (34%) would take packaging home to recycle it if they couldn’t find a recycle bin.

Wrexham residents cited more recycling bins (66%), more recyclable packaging (37%), and clearer signage on recycling bins (25%) as the top three things which would encourage them to recycle more when out of their home.

Furthermore, half (50%) think more should be done to educate young people about the importance of recycling.

Jennifer Hough, Education Officer at Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, said: “We are delighted to be home to the incredible ‘Infinity Room’ installation. Over the coming months Xplore! will be starting work on a raft of decarbonisation activities including the installation of solar panels.

“The arrival of Every Can Counts’ installation allows us to really highlight the importance of recycling as part of our drive to reduce our carbon footprint. It promises to be an amazing exhibit and we can’t wait for the people of Wrexham to see it!”

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager at Every Can Counts, added: “We’re thrilled to bring our unique Infinity Room to Wrexham after seeing great success with it throughout the UK in 2023.

“Free for all members of the public to access, the aim of the exhibit is to raise awareness of the infinite recyclability of aluminium in a visual and interactive way.

“Every empty can could be recycled and back on a shop shelf as a brand-new can in just 60 days and each of us can play a vital role in keeping the cycle going and benefitting the environment.

“With the exhibit available to visit until September, we hope that visitors to Xplore! Science Discovery Centre are left feeling inspired to make small changes to their recycling habits and will encourage their friends and family to do the same.”

Share Your Experience of the Infinity Room

To help us spread the word and encourage others to recycle their empty drink cans, we’re encouraging visitors to share their experience with the Infinity Room on their social media channels. Don’t forget to use the hashtag, #EveryCanCounts so we can find your posts!

  • Phoebe Kelly

Small Can, Big Picture: Our 2023 in Review

Small Can, Big Picture: Our 2023 in Review 2560 1707 Phoebe Kelly

We spread the Every Can Counts message far and wide in 2023, from art installations in city centres to activations at some of the UK’s biggest festivals and sports events.

It’s all part of our mission to inspire, encourage and empower people to recycle their empty cans – wherever they are.

Here’s an in-depth look at how we translated that mission into actions in 2023…

Our Installations & Exhibitions

The Infinity Room Goes on Tour

We started 2023 with a bang in January by exhibiting the #EveryCanCounts ‘Infinity Room’ at Dundee Science Centre.

Our immersive Infinity Room installation is shaped like a giant drink can and made using 1,500 smaller cans. The interior contains 25 square metres of mirrors and creates the illusion of a never-ending sea of aluminum cans, bringing to life the infinite potential of aluminium recycling. As you step inside, a narrator takes you on an educational journey highlighting the importance of recycling drink cans and the positive impact this small action can have on the planet.

The installation spent the summer at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, before moving to W5 Interactive Discovery Centre in Belfast ahead of National Recycle Week in October.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow in York

In celebration of Global Recycling Day (Saturday 18th March), we brought our iconic rainbow archway – made from over 2,500 recycled cans – to York city centre! The seven-metre-wide archway spent a week on display in Exhibition Square, in front of York Art Gallery, brightly highlighting the importance of popping empty cans into the right bin.

Read more about the Rainbow’s exhibition in York here!

The CANvas in Covent Garden

To celebrate Earth Day, we teamed up with Covent Garden and renowned street artist Jimmy C to create a unique art installation made from over 700 repurposed drink cans; the #EveryCanCounts CANvas.

Jimmy C drew in the crowds as he painted the wall of cans live in Covent Garden’s North Piazza, creating an Earth-themed artwork that inspired passers-by to do their bit for the planet.

The artist then returned a week later to create a second design on a new CANvas of recycled cans. This time the artwork featured a crown, to mark the upcoming coronation of King Charles III. This coronation-themed CANvas remained in Covent Garden for five weeks, becoming a popular photo opportunity for the many visitors to this busy London district.

A PixelCan Wall of Art for World Environment Day

To celebrate World Environment Day, we participated in the International Recycling Tour – an annual Every Can Counts event spanning 20 cities in 16 countries.

The International Recycling Tour is an opportunity for all the Every Can Counts programmes around the world to come together with a coordinated campaign. The mission is simple: inspiring people to recycle their empty drink cans and keep public spaces clean.

In the UK, we kicked things off in style with an eye-catching display at the Mighty Hoopla Festival in Brockwell Park. 2,000 recycled drink cans were transformed into a stunning, nature-inspired PixelCan wall of art, while a team of ECC ambassadors roamed the site collecting cans and engaging with festival goers.

Read more about the 2023 instalment of the International Recycling Tour here.

Our Summer at Events and Festivals

Each year our recycling ambassadors hit the road to spread the Every Can Counts message at festivals and events – and 2023 was no exception! Our team headed to 12 major events across the UK this summer, from the thrills of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix to the rock anthems of Download Festival in Donington Park.

We pulled out all the stops to engage attendees with our fun and educational activities. And with our recycling backpacks, can cages, and voting bins, we helped keep the party going while keeping the planet happy!

Our Every Can Counts Soapbox, which participated in the 2022 Red Bull Soapbox Race in London, proved to be a star of the show. Revamped for 2023 with an electric motor and a new body made from recycled aluminium, our soapbox continued to turn heads wherever it went.

And a special shout out to our drink brand partners – Pernod Ricard UK, Red Bull, Most Wanted Wines, White Claw Hard Seltzer, and Canned Wine Co – who joined forces with us to spread the Every Can Counts message at several festivals and events throughout the summer.  

If you’d like to learn more about our summer of recycling fun, click here to read our dedicated blog post!

Our 2023 Green Can Award Winners

A massive congratulations to Bodega 51 Can Bar and Haileybury School who each received a Green Can Award in 2023, in recognition of their sustainability efforts and ongoing commitment to recycling drink cans.

Students at Haileybury School were rewarded with a workshop led by social enterprise, Casting Innovations. During this workshop they learned about the infinite recyclability of aluminium, as well as the melting process, and were able to make their own keyring from recycled aluminium.  

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a Green Can Award winner? Apply on our website today!   

Or if you’re looking for some inspiration to start your own recycling scheme, click here to read about some of the incredible initiatives who are using drink can recycling to raise funds for charitable causes.

2024 here we come!

We’re now cooking up a storm of exciting plans for the year ahead and working on brand new installations and activities to take our message further than ever before! Get ready to be inspired as we take the next steps on our journey towards a 100% recycling rate for drink cans.

Make sure to follow us on social media for updates on our latest activities as the year unfolds!

  • Phoebe Kelly

Experience The Infinite Possibilities Of Recycling: The Every Can Counts Infinity Room Arrives At W5 For Recycle Week

Experience The Infinite Possibilities Of Recycling: The Every Can Counts Infinity Room Arrives At W5 For Recycle Week 1408 946 Phoebe Kelly

We’ve partnered with the award-winning W5 Science & Discovery Centre to bring our captivating Infinity Room exhibit to Belfast, in time for the 20th anniversary of Recycle Week!

Join us for Recycle Week and experience our immersive ‘Infinity Room’ exhibit in Belfast, which invites visitors of all ages to explore the significance of recycling drink cans while showcasing the infinite recyclability of aluminum.

Experiencing Infinite Possibilities

Upon their visit, guests will be met with a giant drink can, and once they step inside, they’ll be immersed in a mirrored room featuring the illusion of an infinite number of suspended aluminium cans. Alongside the visual spectacle, a narrator will take them on an educational journey through aluminium can recycling and its environmental benefits.

Comprised of 1,500 recycled cans and 25 square meters of mirrors, the Infinity Room is not only an educational experience but also a stunning visual attraction. To help us spread the recycling message far and wide, we’re encouraging everyone who visits to share their experience on social media by using the hashtag, #EveryCanCounts.

The arrival of the Infinity Room not only marks a new experience for visitors to W5 Belfast, but also the 20th anniversary of Recycle Week.

What Is Recycle Week?

Recycle Week is an annual celebration of recycling which aims to encourage the public across the UK to recycle more of the right things, more often. Hosted by the recycling charity WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), Recycle Week encourages businesses, local authorities, and community groups to all come together to promote the importance of waste reduction.

If you’d like to find out more, you can visit WRAP’s website by clicking here.

Victoria Denoon, Head of W5 Experience, said:

“W5 is proud to work alongside Every Can Counts to showcase the Infinity Room Tour during Recycle Week 2023.

“The exhibit will be housed in our In Our Nature Zone which highlights the importance of sustainability, climate change and our local environment and is aligned to W5’s mission of provoking new learning opportunities in immersive environments where visitors of all ages and backgrounds can become fully absorbed and engaged. 

“Like Every Can Counts, we are fully committed to inspiring the next generation to recycle and providing opportunities for them to learn about the science involved.”

Nothing Is Impossible When You Make Every Can Count

As part of Recycle Week, we conducted research on the recycling behaviors of Belfast residents. Check out the findings below:

  • On average, residents of Belfast enjoy seven canned drinks per week, and 78% of these cans are recycled.
  • Just under half (48%) of those living in Belfast always use recycling bins when out and about in public places.
  • Only a third (31%) would take packaging home to recycle it if they couldn’t find a recycle bin.
  • Belfast residents cited more recycling bins (73%), clearer signage on recycling bins (34%), and more recyclable packaging (34%) as the top three things which would encourage them to recycle more when out of their home.
  • Almost half of those living in Belfast (44%) think more should be done to educate young people about the importance of recycling.

Make Every Can Count for Recycle Week

If you want to make every one of your cans count for Recycle Week and beyond, then we want you to help us spread the recycling message!

Here are the key facts we like to shout about:

  • Aluminium can be recycled again and again without losing any quality!
  • It takes as little as 60 days for a drink can to go around the recycling loop and be back on the shop shelf as a brand new can.
  • Recycling drink cans uses 95% less energy than making new ones from primary aluminium.

Want to learn more about drink can recycling? We have another blog post which answers all of your frequently asked questions. Click here to find out more.

Visit the Infinity Room!

If you’re in Belfast, be sure to check out the Every Can Counts Infinity Room at W5. It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience art and learn about sustainability in a fun and engaging way!

For more information, including W5’s opening times, click here.

  • Phoebe Kelly

Immersive Recycling Exhibit Launches At Catalyst Science Discovery Centre

Immersive Recycling Exhibit Launches At Catalyst Science Discovery Centre 2560 1707 Phoebe Kelly

The #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room has arrived at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, Cheshire.

What is the #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room?

The ‘Infinity Room’ installation, created by recycling not-for-profit Every Can Counts, aims to teach children and the wider public about the importance of recycling drink cans, as well as illustrating the infinite recyclability of aluminium.

Those who step inside the giant drink can will find themselves in a mirrored room that creates an illusion of being surrounded by an infinite number of suspended aluminium cans. At the same time, a narrator will take them on an educational journey through aluminium can recycling and its environmental benefits. The exhibit, which is made up of 1,500 recycled cans and 25 square metres of mirrors, also makes for an ideal photo opportunity.

What Makes this Immersive Recycling Exhibit So Special?

At Every Can Counts we love educating and inspiring people to recycle their drink cans via innovative and creative projects. The #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room allows anyone who enters to see the endless possibilities that come from recycling a drink can. It shows that recycling just a few small cans could add up to make a massive impact and will hopefully inspire people to continue making lots of little, positive changes in their life. Each can recycled bring us one step closer to a 100% drink can recycling rate and a more sustainable future for us all.

To learn more about the life cycle of a drink can, visit our dedicated web page by clicking here.

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “Our one-of-a-kind Infinity Room installation has been a great success in both Glasgow and Dundee over the past few months, so we’re very excited to be bringing it to yet another new location in the UK.   

“The aim of the exhibit is to raise awareness of the infinite recyclability of aluminium in a visual and interactive way. Every drink can that is recycled could be back on the shop shelf in 60 days, so we hope that visitors to Catalyst Science Discovery Centre are left feeling inspired by this and the vital role that they can play in keeping this cycle going.”

Clare Lightfoot, Community Engagement Coordinator at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre, said, “Informing, educating and inspiring younger generations about the wonders of science and the impact they can have on the environment is what we’re all about at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre.

“It’s great to be able to partner with Every Can Counts to host their Infinity Room exhibit and spread the message about the infinite recyclability of aluminium in a fun and interactive way. We look forward to hearing what our visitors think and the small changes they’ll be making in their everyday lives to make sure each and every drink can that they consume is recycled.”

Year 6 pupils at St Augustine's Catholic Primary visit the Infinity Room at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Cheshire.
Year 6 pupils at St Augustine’s Catholic Primary visit the Infinity Room at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Cheshire.

Infinity Room Opening Times

Visitors can explore the Infinity Room at Catalyst Science Discovery Centre free of charge, from 10am – 5pm every day, (apart from Mondays when the centre is closed) but visitors are encouraged to purchase an admission ticket to experience all of the activities and exhibits the centre has to offer.

Learn More About Catalyst Science Discovery Centre

Catalyst is a Science Discovery Centre and Museum offering a host of interactive exhibits, museum archives, historical galleries, family shows and hands-on workshops.  

Learn more about the Discovery Centre and Museum, view all the other exhibits and activities on offer and book tickets for an exciting day out by visiting Catalyst’s website! Click here for more information.

  • Phoebe Kelly

To Infinity and Beyond: The #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room Launches at Dundee Science Centre

To Infinity and Beyond: The #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room Launches at Dundee Science Centre 2560 1707 Phoebe Kelly

The #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room – a new immersive exhibit about can recycling – has arrived at Dundee Science Centre to inspire people to recycle their empty cans! Read on to take a peek inside our giant can and learn more about this immersive exhibition.

What is the #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room?

The ‘Infinity Room’ installation, created by recycling not-for-profit Every Can Counts, aims to teach children and the wider public about the importance of recycling drink cans, as well as illustrating the infinite recyclability of aluminium.

Those who step inside the giant drink can will find themselves in a mirrored room that creates an illusion of being surrounded by an infinite number of suspended aluminium cans. At the same time, a narrator will take them on an educational journey through aluminium can recycling and its environmental benefits.

The exhibit, which is made up of 1,500 recycled cans and 25 square metres of mirrors, also makes for an ideal photo opportunity. Visitors can share their own photos and videos of the Infinity Room on social media with the hashtag #EveryCanCounts.

Take a Peek Inside the Giant Can:

We Even Had a Visit from Less Waste Laura!

Award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer, Laura Young (also known as Less Waste Laura) visited the Infinity Room during the launch at Dundee Science Centre. Take a look at some of the photos below:

Less Waste Laura stands in front of the #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room, holding an empty can over a recycling bin. She is smiling and is enjoying her visit.
Less Waste Laura stands in front of the #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room, along with Chris-Latham-Warde (the Every Can Counts Programme Manager) and George Wickenden (the Marketing and Audience Development Advisor at Dundee Science Centre). George holds a recycling bin while Laura and Chris recycle an empty drink can each. All three are smiling and excited to be a part of this recycling initiative.
Less Waste Laura stands inside the Infinity Room. Half of her body is visible and the other half is reflected in the mirrored door of the Infinity Room.

You can find out more about Laura’s visit to our recycling-themed installation on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) or for more tips and tricks on how to reduce waste and create a more sustainable future for our planet, make sure you take a look at Laura’s social media channels (Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter).

What We Had to Say About the Arrival of the Infinity Room!

Dundee Science Centre:

Lorraine Lemon, Head of Business Development at Dundee Science Centre, said, “As well as providing an enjoyable visitor experience, we are passionate about motivating change and inspiring positive behaviour for the long-term benefit of our community, and the wider world. The best way to do that is to make an impact and really make people think. Hosting the Infinity Room provides us with an opportunity to do just that – to provide a visual treat, something truly immersive, but also a catalyst for conversations, questions and behavioural change when families and other visitors go home. This interactive exhibit is also a way of showing visitors that even the smallest of steps can make a difference, that we can all do something to reduce our carbon footprint, and that items we might otherwise throw away can be recycled or even transformed into a piece of art.”

Every Can Counts:

Chris Latham-Warde from Every Can Counts added: “We’re thrilled to be bringing our one-of-a-kind Infinity Room installation to another city in the UK after its recent success in Glasgow.

“The aim of the exhibit is to raise awareness of the infinite recyclability of drink cans in a visual and interactive way and we hope that visitors to Dundee Science Centre are left feeling inspired by it. Each and every one of us can play a vital role in keeping this cycle going and enabling aluminium to be recycled again and again, forever.”

Visit the #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room!

Visitors can explore The Infinity Room at Dundee Science Centre free of charge, Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 4 pm. Admission costs still apply for the Centre’s year-round exhibitions. To find out more about Dundee Science Centre, please visit https://www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/

Learn More!

Want to learn more about the ways we inspire and empower people to recycle their empty drink cans? Visit our news page for more stories! Or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join us on our journey towards a 100% drink can recycling rate!

  • Phoebe Kelly

New Infinity Room Exhibit Opens In Glasgow Science Centre

New Infinity Room Exhibit Opens In Glasgow Science Centre 2560 1440 Phoebe Kelly

The #EveryCanCounts Infinity Room has opened in Glasgow Science Centre. The installation aims to teach people about the importance of recycling drink cans by illustrating the infinite recyclability of aluminium.

Those who step inside the giant drink can will find themselves in a mirrored room that creates an illusion of being surrounded by an infinite number of suspended aluminium cans. At the same time, a narrator will take them on an educational journey through aluminium can recycling and its environmental benefits.

The immersive exhibit, which is made up of 1,500 recycled cans and 25 square metres of mirrors, makes for an ideal photo opportunity and its launch coincides with Recycle Week (17th – 23rd October). The Infinity Room becomes the second installation to be displayed by Every Can Counts during Recycle Week this year, after the #EveryCanCounts Rainbow Archway appeared in Liverpool city centre on Friday.

The exhibit in Glasgow Science Centre will be open to the public from Monday 17th October until January 8th next year.

Visitors can share their own photos and videos of the Infinity Room on social media with the hashtag #EveryCanCounts to be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win tickets to experience the Newton Flight Academy at Glasgow Science Centre – which is home to Scotland’s only full-motion flight simulators. Click here for full prize draw details.

Graham Rose, creative director at Glasgow Science Centre, said: “We are always looking to develop our sustainability initiatives, whether it’s making sure there are plenty of recycling bins on site or educating the local community with our public engagement programme.

“Every Can Counts’ work around recycling awareness is important in keeping drink can recycling front of mind amongst the public, and we’re really pleased to be hosting this one-of-a kind installation to help spread the word.”

According to a recent survey completed by Every Can Counts, nearly two thirds (65%) of people who live in Glasgow say they’re becoming more conscious of environmental concerns and their own carbon footprint.

Meanwhile, more than three quarters (76%) of Glaswegians think that the local council could be doing more to encourage recycling locally.

Glaswegians consume an average of four drinks from aluminium cans each week, with drink cans being amongst the city’s most recycled type of packaging.

Chris Latham-Warde from Every Can Counts added: “Recycle Week is the perfect occasion to launch our new Infinity Room installation in partnership with Glasgow Science Centre.

“We can all help the environment by doing the right thing with recyclable packaging, such as drink cans. Our installation seeks to illustrate this in a really visual way by capturing the infinite recyclability of aluminium. We want to leave visitors inspired by the vital role they can play in keeping this cycle going and enabling aluminium to be recycled again and again, forever.”

To find out more about Glasgow Science Centre, please visit www.glasgowsciencecentre.org.

To find out more about our prize draw click here.

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