FDBusiness.com

SIG Combibloc has teamed up with Waste Aware North East to help increase the recycling of carton packs in Sunderland, Newcastle, Durham and South Tyneside

Waste Aware North East is a not for profit organisation which raises awareness of waste issues across the north east of England working with local authorities, private sector and community sector organisations.

The announcement follows a successful bid to Defra to grow its recycling campaign.

Partnering with Valpak, Durham County Council, Newcastle City Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council, the campaign will give residents in each council area the chance to become more proactive in recycling their carton packs, glass bottles and aerosols, in return for the possibility of winning a prize each month.

In 2011, Waste Aware North East’s recycling campaign, managed to engage with more than 5,500 residents.  The new enhanced activity programme, in conjunction with food and drink carton manufacturer SIG Combibloc, will engage with more householders and also target local schools.

‘UK’s only carton recycling mill’

SIG Combibloc is a founding partner of The Alliance for Beverage Cartons & The Environment (ACE UK) and is heavily involved in launching the UK’s only carton recycling mill, which is planned to open in May 2013 near Halifax.

This will increase the recycling of carton packs across the whole of UK, so the north east campaign is perfect timing as Malcolm Allum, managing director of SIG Combibloc said: “It’s been rewarding to see the steady growth in collection and recycling of carton packs in the UK over recent years and the new recycling mill will encourage more local authorities to collect carton packs from kerbside, offering  easy access for consumers and hence increasing household recycling rates.

“ As a north east based company ourselves, it’s a good to see the region being so proactive when it comes to carton recycling, especially in preparation for the opening of the new recycling mill.”

Sue McClellan of Waste Aware North East added: “Waste Aware North East is a not for profit organisation, which strives to increase household recycling rates.

“Having SIG Combibloc, ACE UK, Valpak and Defra supporting our regional campaign will help us to engage with more residents across the north east, making them aware that they can recycle carton packs and other packaging materials in Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham and South Tyneside, as well as making  people aware of the environmental impact of their actions.”