For the third time, our UK chapter headed to London’s Alexandra Palace on Saturday 20th June to take on the famous downhill course, competing against 51 other creative teams in front of thousands of spectators.
The Red Bull Soapbox Race challenges teams to design the craziest contraptions that rely solely on gravity to navigate the 420-metre downhill course. Participants are then judged on creativity, speed, and showmanship.
The Every Can Counts UK four-person crew designed and built a recycling-themed soapbox to take on the course in front of thousands of spectators at London’s Alexandra Palace.
Meet the can-tastic driver
Inspired by a classic VW Beetle and incorporating recycled cans into the engine detail, the Every Can Counts Soapbox aimed to wow the judges and the crowds before taking on the thrilling down-hill course.
But since officially entering our lives in 2025, no Soapbox Race would be complete without the charm of Canzee! Made from approximately 400 recycled drink cans, Canzee is always happy to help create a buzz (and a lot of noise) to remind people about the benefits of recycling their empty cans.
However, this year, Canzee made a very special appearance as the driver of our soapbox! Well… that’s what the ECC UK team wanted the crowds to believe! The performance created the illusion that Canzee had bravely taken the wheel and was ready to hurtle down the track. The reality? Hidden inside was the ECC UK Programme’s Manager, Chris Latham-Warde, who has successfully taken all three of the ECC UK Soapboxes straight to the hay bales at the end of the course.
Canzee might have taken a backseat this time, but he still managed to win over the judges (scoring 31/40 for the ECC UK team’s performance) and the crowds before we’d even taken to the course!
The fastest Soapbox yet
So to answer the burning question… Did our UK chapter beat their epic 3rd-place podium finish in 2024?
Things started to take a dramatic turn during this year’s race, with Canzee dramatically flopping over Chris and obscuring his vision shortly after one of the jumps. The fake engine dropped out of the bottom and started dragging along the floor during another jump, and for a moment, we thought it might all be over for our canny mascot…
But after reaching 26mph down the track, the team successfully crossed the finish line in just over 40 seconds, making this soapbox their fastest yet.
Canzee might not have taken to the podium, but he helped the UK chapter secure 5th place for team Every Can Counts.
More than just a Soapbox Race
There’s no doubt about it… the Red Bull Soapbox Race has to be one of the most iconic events in the ECC UK calendar and one they look forward to every time it comes around. And because they race in the name of recycling, their presence at Alexandra Palace is about much more than aiming for that elusive 1st place spot on the podium.
Throughout the day, the Every Can Counts UK team of recycling ambassadors were on hand to spark conversations with attendees about the benefits of recycling their empty drink cans. And to make recycling as easy and accessible as possible, the ambassadors roamed Alexandra Palace with their iconic can-shaped backpacks, bringing the recycling bin directly to attendees. Canzee also roamed the site to create excitement for the race and show everyone why every can really does count.
They also brought two sets of the ECC “I HEART RECYCLING” can cages to race day and, thanks to the support of all the attendees at the Soapbox Race, both sets of cages were full to the brim by the end of the day.
Every can really does count
Chris Latham-Warde, programme manager for Every Can Counts UK, said: “This is our third year at the Red Bull Soapbox Race, and it’s one of the highlights of our calendar. The atmosphere is brilliant, the crowds are huge and so engaged, and it’s a fantastic chance to show off our soapbox design while reminding people why recycling matters – especially on the go”.
“An aluminium can you recycle today could be back on the shop shelf as a new can in just 60 days – and that cycle can continue forever. That’s what makes aluminium so valuable, and why every can really does count, including at events like the Soapbox race.”
