LINK19 College in Gravesend, Kent, has been recognised for its commitment to recycling and sustainability with a prestigious Green Can Award from our local chapter, Every Can Counts UK.
The college, which has a total of 40 learners, has taken steps to improve its recycling practices and raise awareness of the importance of protecting the planet, including the installation of dedicated aluminium recycling bins for learners and staff.
Using these bins, LINK19 has collected over 500kg of aluminium cans in the last year, which were sent to the Rochester branch of European Metal Recycling, generating £465 in total.
LINK19 has reinvested these funds into the college and other community causes, including purchasing PPE to support the work of Gravesham Street Champions and Surfers Against Sewage, other organisations working to protect the planet. The college has also installed vegetable planters to allow learners to start their own growth projects.
In addition to receiving an award, LINK19 learners will also be rewarded with a workshop led by social enterprise, Casting Innovations, during which they will learn about the infinite recyclability of aluminium, as well as the melting process, with learners making their own individually designed keyring from recycled aluminium.
Alongside their work at the college, many of LINK19’s learners are involved in community clean-up programmes through the Street Champions initiative which brings volunteers together to enhance the local environment in Gravesham.
Maria Barry, Assistant Lead at LINK19 College, said: “I’m so proud of our learners and staff for going above and beyond their academic studies to make a difference to the local community and our planet and earning this recognition from Every Can Counts.
“The dedication they’ve shown over the last 12 months is amazing and I know they’ll continue to build on their efforts, helping our college to do bigger and better things to care for the environment.”
Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager at Every Can Counts UK, added: “The learners and staff at LINK19 College are an inspiration and are thoroughly deserving of our Green Can Award.
“Their recycling efforts are a brilliant example of how local action can make a significant environmental impact thanks to the endless recyclability of aluminium.
“We can’t wait to see what the college does next and hope that they inspire other communities across the UK to take action – because every can, and every effort, counts.”