A community group in North East Essex has been recognised with a Green Can Award by our UK chapter after recycling over 1.5 million aluminium cans since 2019.
The Essex-based community group – Every Can Counts Supporting The Welfare Park Parkeston – has members ranging from seven to 80 years old, and brings together local residents, pubs, clubs, and litter pickers to collect and recycle used drink cans across the Tendring area of North East Essex.
To make recycling more accessible, Every Can Counts Supporting The Welfare Park Parkeston has also installed 16 recycling collection bins across North East Essex, allowing even more locals to get involved in their sustainability efforts.
The group has recycled over 1.5 million cans since 2019, an average of 250,000 per year. This equates to £3,750, all of which has been invested into The Welfare Park in Parkeston, a safe space and play area for children of all ages and physical abilities.
Money raised by recycling the cans is put towards the yearly insurance and inspection costs of the park, which is entirely volunteer run and funded and also hosts local events such as summer fetes, as well as being home to play and gym equipment.
Janette Allan, leader of Every Can Counts Supporting The Welfare Park Parkeston, said: “This award is a great acknowledgement of all the hard work our brilliant volunteers put into recycling aluminium cans in our local area. We’re incredibly proud of our efforts and know that collecting over 1.5 million used cans is a real achievement, so to be recognised by Every Can Counts is the icing on the cake.
“Our members are very passionate about protecting the planet and our local area as well as looking after The Welfare Park, a space at the centre of our community. We’re excited to see where our recycling journey leads next!”
Bill Davidson, Chairman of the Welfare Park Committee, said: “The Welfare Park recycling initiative started in my back garden in June 2014 and has grown into a thriving initiative since then, supporting our precious Welfare Park while also ensuring used cans are disposed of correctly.
“Over the past 11 years, our project has become a beacon of sustainability across Parkeston, Harwich, Oakley, and even further afield, with people from as far as London contributing their cans to support the park.
“I’m really proud of our achievements and I’m incredibly grateful for the support of Every Can Counts, alongside each and every one of our volunteers who really do go the extra mile and make all the difference.”
Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager at Every Can Counts UK, added: “The team behind the Welfare Park community can collection are an inspiration and are thoroughly deserving of our Green Can Award.
“Their initiative is a brilliant example of how local action can make a significant environmental impact – thanks to aluminium’s high value and infinite recyclability – while also raising money for a cause close to home.
“We can’t wait to see the team continue to make a difference this year and we hope they inspire others across the UK to set-up community-based recycling initiatives of their own.”