Every Can Counts has helped to keep Britain green as it collected and recycled more than 64,000 aluminium drink cans at various festivals and events this summer while spreading the recycling message and encourage positive behaviour change.
The not-for-profit recycling programme attended 12 major events across the UK, kicking off in June as it celebrated World Environment Day with the launch of its International Recycling Tour.
The tour, which is now in its third year, is an international awareness campaign which champions the cause of sustainable living whilst encouraging people to keep outdoor public spaces clean and to recycle their empty drink cans wherever they go.
As part of this year’s UK campaign, Every Can Counts unveiled a nature-inspired installation at pop music festival, Mighty Hoopla, in London’s Brockwell Park. Made up of 2,000 drink cans the PixelCan artwork featured tiger eyes designed to have a ‘watching effect’ over festival goers to encourage them to do the right thing and recycle their drink cans.
From Download Festival to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, the awareness activations continued throughout the summer, bringing lots of immersive installations, games and activities – all with the aim of inspiring positive behaviour change.
Every Can Counts also teamed up with a number of its drink brand partners, including Pernod Ricard UK, Red Bull, Most Wanted Wines, White Claw Hard Seltzer and Canned Wine Co, to help get their customers engaged and recycling at their events by providing recycling backpacks, cages and bins.
In addition to all of the fun and games, a team of 42 ambassadors worked tirelessly over the summer to spread the Every Can Counts message and engage festival-goers, with over 5,000 people taking part in a recycling survey.
The survey revealed that more than half of people (57%) deemed aluminium drink cans as the most environmentally friendly drink packaging despite three in 10 (28%) being unaware that aluminium is infinitely recyclable.
When asked what would help you to recycle more when away from home, two-thirds (69%) of people wanted to see more recycling bins in public spaces, with half of people (51%) wanting clearer signage on recycling bins and recyclable packaging.
Chris Latham-Warde, programme manager at Every Can Counts, said: “Despite the unreliable weather, it’s been really enjoyable to work with such major festivals and event organisers, alongside our drink brand partners, to spread the recycling message this summer in so many fun and interactive ways.
“Thanks to engaged festival-goers and our brilliant team of Every Can Counts ambassadors, our message has been spread far and wide across the UK this summer. On top of that, more than 64,000 cans were collected and recycled by our team, and will be back on shop shelves in as little as 60 days. The cycle is never-ending and together, we can create greener festival and event environments as we continue to strive towards our aim of achieving a 100% drink can recycling rate.
“We’re already looking forward to next summer for another season of good music, recycling fun and hopefully some more sunshine!”
Every Can Counts is a unique partnership formed between drink can manufacturers, drink can fillers and the wider recycling industry, all with the goal of reaching a 100% recycling rate for drink cans. The programme provides free recycling support to businesses and organisations around the UK. To find out more information about Every Can Counts, visit www.everycancounts.co.uk.
