Alupro launches campaign to educate primary pupils about recycling

Alupro, the aluminium packaging recycling organisation, has announced the launch of its 2020 primary education programme. From Monday 28 September, schools across the UK and Ireland will be recruited to participate in the initiative, which aims to bring recycling into the classroom through science, art, design and PHSE.

The anime-inspired Key Stage 2 (KS2) campaign will see schoolchildren introduced to heroine Ally Minium and asked to join her quest to defeat evil villain Land Phil, who is threatening to take over the planet. Comprising an introductory video, an interactive lesson about recycling and a series of quests for pupils to complete, the creative programme will task pupils with becoming ‘masters of infinity’.

After completing all the quests, using a series of custom-designed character cards, pupils will complete a pledge to recycle their waste and help others to do the same. The aim of the initiative is to generate awareness of the benefits of recycling all household packaging, including aluminium, as well as drive a long-term shift in recycling behaviour among young people and their families.

Rick Hindley, executive director at Alupro, commented: “Inspiring the next generation and educating students about the properties of aluminium and the role it plays within the circular economy will help contribute to ever-increasing recycling rates. At Alupro, we love working with pupils to build awareness of sustainability and support teachers as they work with their class to promote the benefits of recycling. Our resources have been designed to be hugely flexible and, as such, can even be used by students for home schooling!”

As part of the campaign, students will be invited to enter a competition (which runs between 28 September and 14 December) to complete an anime-based comic strip, for the chance to win an iPad to take home and a £1500 voucher for their school. Rick added: “We’re really looking forward to seeing the entries and the exciting adventures they design. I’d like to offer the best of luck to everyone who takes part!”

ALFED, the aluminium federation, will be part funding the programme. For more information, or to download the resources, visit: https://nationalschoolspartnership.com/initiatives/alupro-masters-of-infinity/. For more information about Alupro, visit: www.alupro.org.uk.

 

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Alupro celebrates UK’s commitment to recycling during lockdown

Alupro, the aluminium packaging recycling organisation, has thrown its full support behind Recycle Week (21-27 September). Organised by Recycle Now, this year’s campaign will run under the banner ‘Together We Recycle’ and aims to celebrate household recycling through the COVID-19 pandemic.

With aluminium recycling rates continuing to increase, the UK has already collected and recycled more than 95,000 tonnes of aluminium packaging to date in 2020.* Changing public perceptions and positive action from households nationwide have proven pivotal to driving this progress.

Now in its 17th year, Recycle Week aims to celebrate these figures and inspire even more people to recycle. This year’s campaign also aims to thank the waste management key workers who kept the industry moving during the national lockdown.

Rick Hindley, executive director of Alupro, commented: “2020 has been a hugely challenging year. It has, however, highlighted the changing perceptions and widespread determination of householders to recycle their packaging waste, alongside the sheer resilience of the waste management industry.

“Since the start of the year, the UK’s aluminium recycling rates have continued to increase. It’s hugely positive to see such progress through kerbside, bring and on-the-go systems, as well as aluminium packaging recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA). With more than 95,000 tonnes collected already this year, we’re well on our way to exceeding targets.

“We’re delighted to support Recycle Week and want to play a key role in celebrating national progress. The campaign reflects the purpose of our own behavioural change campaigns, Every Can Counts and Metal Matters, which are both delivering profound change in national perceptions towards recycling.”

Alupro has represented the UK’s packaging recycling industry for more than 30 years. The organisation’s Every Can Counts and Metal Matters behavioural change programmes continue to deliver exceptional results. Last month, Every Can Counts erected a giant rainbow on the Brighton beach seafront to promote recycling, while Leicester City Council has just announced a partnership with Metal Matters to encourage greater recycling across the city.

To celebrate Recycle Week, the Every Can Counts team is launching a recycling-themed augmented reality filter game (23 September). Catch ‘Em If You Can will offer players the chance to win a PlayStation 5 and will be accessible via both Facebook and Instagram.

For more information about Recycle Week, visit: https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/recycle-week-campaign. For more information about Alupro, visit: www.alupro.org.uk. To play Catch ‘Em If You Can, visit the Every Can Counts Facebook or Instagram page.

 

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* According to provisional monthly packaging data published by the Environment Agency

Recycle Week 2020

 

 

Alupro to sponsor Student Starpack Awards

Alupro, the aluminium packaging recycling organisation, has been announced as the latest sponsor of the 2021 Student Starpack Awards. Organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), the competition challenges university students to identify creative packaging solutions to problems set by leading brands

As part of the agreement, Alupro has provided a comprehensive brief, tasking applicants with the design of a personal grooming product to highlight the sustainability, recyclability and shelf appeal of aluminium. Alongside a cash prize of £500, the winner will be welcomed to the Crown Packaging Global Technology and R&D centre in Wantage to see, first-hand, the packaging design and development process.

The Student Starpack competition, established in 1964, aims to inspire the next generation of packaging experts by identifying, rewarding and supporting talented young people and their tutors, encouraging them to bring innovative new ideas to the UK’s every-growing packaging industry.

Rick Hindley, executive director at Alupro, commented: “Inspiring the next generation and encouraging students to consider roles in the packaging industry is key to the sector’s continued progress. Initiatives likes the Starpack Student Awards provide an excellent platform for applicants to really challenge convention and embrace creativity.

“By supporting this year’s competition, we hope to inspire fresh new thinking and help the designers of tomorrow consider the importance of sustainability. We’re looking forward to seeing the responses to our brief and how the applicants use the unique qualities of aluminium to create their designs. I’d like to offer the best of luck to everyone who takes part!”

As part of the brief, The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) will provide free bespoke training sessions on the benefits of using aluminium in packaging design. For more information about the Starpack awards, visit: www.iom3.org/starpack.

 

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