United Co-operatives to Sponsor Recycling Initiative

Date published: 03/06/2005

Residents in Rochdale borough are to benefit from an innovative recycling  sponsorship agreement with United Co-operatives, it was announced today.  As part of a recycling initiative, the council has entered into an agreement with United Co-operatives that will see prizes awarded to 16 residents across the borough over a 12-month period. They will get the chance to compete for £50 vouchers, four times a year, by re-cycling their waste

The scheme works by measuring the tonnages recycled of glass or tins across the four townships. The prizes are then awarded to the households that have recycled the most in that period. Currently there are 30,000 green recycling boxes across the area that will rise to 42,000 over the next 2 months.

The first prize draw has already been launched and those who recycle their cans, glass or paper on the green kerbside box scheme between the 13th and 24th June will be given a prize draw entry form by Council recycling crews

The idea behind the initiative stemmed from Tara Dumas, Waste Minimisation Manager for Rochdale, she said:

“Recent national studies have shown that people respond to incentive schemes. We need to create a “re-cycling habit” across the borough and wanted to get involved with a national company. We were very lucky that United Co-operatives decided to get involved from their HQ at Sandbrook Park.”

Michael Fairclough, Community Development Manager for United Co-operatives added:

“Re-cycling is a long-term issue that affects us all. If we can help local people to re- use more of their waste then we will have achieved one of our goals as a community business.”

For further information on Recycling visit www.recyclenow.com or call the Rochdale Environmental Management Help Desk on 0845 226 1800.