In its third annual Community Can Challenge, Rexam Beverage Can Europe says it has collected 5.7 tonnes of recycled cans through the efforts of its workforce at Rexam plants around nine European countries.
Rexam’s Community Can Challenge runs over a ten-week period and sees Rexam plant teams working within their local communities to educate about recycling while at the same time raising money for charity.
According to the company, the total of cans collected via the company activity in 2013 represents a 14% increase on the equivalent figure for 2012, and equates to more than 345,000 cans and 52 tonnes of carbon dioxide savings.
1.7 tonnes of these cans were collected by Rexam’s engineering facility in Milton Keynes, UK, which won the event’s Weight Prize and £5,000 to donate to a charity of their choice.
Rexam’s plants in Valdemorillo, Spain and Manisa, Turkey both received the Community Engagement Award for engaging with a range of different community groups in a number of surrounding towns, as well as the use of local media to raise awareness of their activities.
Iain Percival, Rexam sector director for Europe, says: “Whilst recycling cans is only part of Rexam’s wider sustainability programme, the Community Can Challenge is a visible way in which our employees can participate in and support the company’s commitment to running a sustainable company, and build even better relationships with the communities in which they work.
“Those plants and locations that took part truly embraced the opportunity to educate their local communities about the importance of recycling and to help us make a difference in running a sustainable business.”
