14 - Recycling is branching out in Dudley

Archived news release from 2007

Dudley residents are taking part in a recycling scheme that is turning unwanted cans into fruit trees.

Dudley Council is appealing to everyone living in the borough to recycle their cans for the initiative, which promises to grow a fruit tree in Malawi for every tonne of aluminium can and foil recycled in the UK.

The scheme, which has been set up by a not for profit organisation called Alupro, will run over the next two years. It is expected to fund the planting of 85,000 fruit trees and aims to tackle de-forestation as well as helping businesses in Malawi.

Residents who would like to get involved can recycle their used cans through the council’s black box kerbside recycling scheme or at any of the 60 recycling centres across the borough.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for the environment, said:

“Recycling aluminium is 20 times more efficient than making it from raw materials and saves a massive amount of energy.

“We’re delighted to be doing our bit for this wonderful project and I’m sure Dudley’s contribution will make a big difference.”

For further information on recycling in Dudley contact Dudley Council Plus on 01384 812345 or visit: www.dudley.gov.uk/environment--planning/rubbish-waste-and-recycling.

For more information on the Malawi scheme contact Alupro on 0845 7227722 or visit their website: www.alupro.org.uk.

Note to Editors

The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) is a not for profit organisation sponsored by the leading aluminium packaging producer, reprocessor and exporter companies. www.alupro.org.uk

Ripple Africa is a small charity which works in the Nkhata Bay District of Malawi on educational, healthcare and environmental projects. www.rippleafrica.org

The amount of aluminium recycled each year has risen by 47 per cent since 2003, when Alupro first ran a campaign to grow a tree for every tonne of aluminium packaging recycled, and more than 100,000 trees have already been planted in the UK and Burkina Faso, West Africa.

News Release Contact Information

Name:	Chris Jenkins
Telephone:	01384 814777

Name:	Kate Arnold
Telephone:	01384 815219

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