Every Can Counts recycles over 100,000 cans across festivals this summer

This summer, Every Can Counts has helped festival goers across the UK and Ireland recycle over 100,000 cans – a 59% year on year increase – while spreading the word about the importance of recycling.

Over the past few months, the recycling not for profit saw 62 ambassadors attend a variety of events, including Download Festival, the Red Bull Soapbox Race, Stendhal Festival, 2000trees, and Latitude Festival.

At each gathering, the Every Can Counts’ team collected drink cans using a variety of innovative methods, from bespoke recycling backpacks to eye-catching cage installations and festival-themed voting bins.

To further engage festival goers, the ambassadors offered rewards for recycling drink cans at Download Festival, Latitude Festival and Electric Picnic, giving festival goers the opportunity to exchange sacks of empty cans for festival-branded t-shirts or keyrings made from recycled aluminium.

In addition to recycling drink cans, the ambassadors also gathered over 6,700 responses for Every Can Counts’ recycling survey, with the results revealing that festival goers would recycle more when they’re away from home if there were more recycling points.

Beaches and green spaces, streets, and shopping centres were named the top locations where people feel more drink can recycling points are needed.

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager at Every Can Counts, said: “It’s been a fantastic summer working with major festivals and event organisers across the UK and Ireland, as well as our drink brand partners, to raise awareness about the importance of recycling.

“Thanks to the enthusiasm of festival goers and our dedicated team of ambassadors, we’ve not only recycled over 100,000 cans across the UK, but also hopefully inspired thousands to make recycling a part of their daily lives.

“Every can that is recycled can be back on the shelf in 60 days and if we work together, we can all enjoy greener festivals while getting closer to our goal of a 100% drink can recycling rate.”

At this year’s Red Bull Soapbox Race in London, Every Can Counts also placed third, beating 55 other teams with their aptly named Chitty Chitty Can Can to claim the bronze medal.