Working in partnership with Leeds City Council and M&S, British Glass has been creating recycling superheroes. As part of a two-week campaign, Leeds residents were invited to photograph themselves recycling glass at any of the city’s bottle banks – for the chance to win 1 of 5 iPad minis.
The competition was part of a wider campaign to make sure people understand that glass packaging is 100% and endlessly recyclable. Making new bottles and jars from waste glass helps the environment by saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions – but it also helps the local area as well.
Councilor Lucinda Yeadon, executive member for environment and sustainability at Leeds City Council, said:
“Recycling glass is such a great way to make the most of our resources. Last year more than 15,000 tonnes of glass bottles and jars were thrown away in household bins (in Leeds). Disposing of that cost Leeds City Council over £1.5 million in charges if the glass had been recycled. This is money that would have been better spent on other local services”.
For two weeks glass industry representatives and council waste advisers were at the M&S store in Moortown, speaking to around 1,000 shoppers about the benefits of recycling glass and directing them to three new, decorated bottle banks in the store car park. A further 75,000 homes within the area received leaflets about the new glass banks and the competition. The activity was covered by BBC Leeds Radio, Leeds TV, Yorkshire Evening Post, in blogs and on social media.
Nick Kirk, British Glass’ technical director said:
“Recycling used glass bottles and jars into new ones is one of the best outcomes for the environment. For this to happen, everyone has to play their part: households, shops, local councils, recyclers and glass manufacturers. We’re delighted to have been able to work in partnership with M&S and Leeds City Council for this campaign.”
Notes
Local authorities, retailers of other organisations interested in running similar campaigns should contact British Glass via information@britglass.co.uk
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Friends of Glass is a European consumer forum that promotes the benefits of glass packaging for health, taste and the environment. Its activities in the UK are run by British Glass with input from its members.www.friendsofglass.com/gb
