Alupro announces winner of the Student Starpack Awards

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Alupro, the aluminium packaging recycling organisation, has announced the winner of the highly esteemed Student Starpack Awards. Mauricio Rocktaeshel, from Loughborough University, took home first place in the Alupro-sponsored ‘sustainable aluminium personal grooming product & brand’ category, as well as the overall gold award.

Alongside the £500 cash prize, Mauricio also won a trip to the Crown Packaging Global Technology and R&D Centre in Wantage. Here, he will receive a behind the scenes tour of the facility’s brand packaging design and development operations.

As part of his submission, Mauricio created ‘OneElement’, a shaver brand designed to create zero waste. Both the manual razor and its stylish packaging, which doubles as a travel storage case, is made from premium quality 100% recycled aluminium.

Organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), the competition challenged university students to identify creative packaging solutions to problems set by leading brands. As part of the sponsorship agreement, Alupro tasked applicants to design a personal grooming product to highlight the sustainability, recyclability, and shelf appeal of aluminium.

Tom Giddings, general manager of Alupro, commented: “We were impressed by all of the competition entries this year, but Mauricio’s design really stood out to the judges. His product and packaging was really well thought out and surpassed the reusability and recyclability element of our brief. What’s more, the brand was strong, and the packaging was highly attractive – a clear demonstration of the shelf appeal of aluminium.

“Not only could we see this product manufactured and stocked by retail outlets, but it could also solve the environmental issue of plastic blister packaging associated with razors. Congratulations, Mauricio!”

Mauricio Rocktaeschel, winner of the Student Starpack Awards, commented: “I am very grateful for winning the award and for the amazing opportunity to visit the R&D centre of Crown packaging in Wantage. Aluminium is a fascinating and versatile material, so I chose the brief because I like its attributes and wanted to explore its manufacturing methods, limitations, and opportunities in packaging applications.

“The project was a lot of fun; I learned a lot and it definitely increased my interest in packaging design. Thank you for the great opportunity and thank you to my friends and tutor for their support.”

For more information about the Starpack awards, visit: www.iom3.org/starpack.

Alupro announces winner of national education campaign

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Alupro, the aluminium packaging recycling organisation, has announced the winner of its national educational programme – Masters of Infinity. Sophie Mae Juguilon (10), from St. Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Ashford, took home first prize for her outstanding manga comic strip.

Alongside a brand-new iPad, Sophie Mae was presented with a £1,500 voucher for her school. In addition, pupils who made the shortlist have all received a certificate of achievement.

Opened in September 2020, the competition ran alongside Alupro’s highly-successful primary education programme. Encouraging schools nationwide to integrate recycling into the curriculum, the initiative saw teachers provided with an introductory video, interactive lesson about recycling and a series of ‘quests’ for pupils to complete.

The resources were downloaded more than 580 times across the UK and Ireland, with hundreds of entries received for the competition. A second competition is currently underway across schools in Wales, providing students with the opportunity to win a Nintendo Switch Lite and a £250 book voucher for their school.

Tom Giddings, interim general manager at Alupro, commented: “The standard of entries for our Masters of Infinity competition was exceptionally high. While it was difficult to pick out just one winner, Sophie Mae’s entry really stood out to us. Creative and imaginative, the submission included interesting facts and demonstrated detailed knowledge of the aluminium packaging recycling process.

“Educating the next generation about the circular properties of aluminium is really important to the team here at Alupro and we are really pleased with how many schools and students have got involved. This has been our most successful educational campaign to date and we’re delighted with the support.”

For more information about Masters of Infinity or to download the free educational resources please visit www.learningaluminium.co.uk.

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Every Can Counts takes recycled rainbow art installation to Manchester

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As part of a collaboration between Every Can Counts and Greater Manchester Combined Authority, a giant rainbow created from 2,500 recycled beverage cans has appeared in Piccadilly Gardens.

Installed in celebration of World Environment Day (Saturday 5th June), the four-metre-high art piece aims to tackle litter and promote the infinite recyclability of aluminium. The cans used to create the installation were supplied by Go Green, a charity initiative managed by the Emily Jordan Foundation providing meaningful day opportunities to people with learning disabilities and complex needs.

Forming part of the Every Can Counts European Recycling Tour, ambassadors with colourful recycling backpacks will be roaming Manchester city centre to spread the recycling message and collect cans. Activities and events organised by Every Can Counts will be simultaneously taking place in 19 locations across 15 countries (including France, Spain, Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands), aiming to combat littering by inspiring people to recycle their empty drink cans.

Chris Latham-Warde, Every Can Counts UK Programme Manager, commented: “As COVID-19 restrictions ease, more and more people are socialising outdoors and making the most of the summer weather. Unfortunately, littering in public spaces is becoming an increasingly serious problem as a result.

“Our eye-catching rainbow art installation aims to remind people about the many benefits of recycling. After all, drink cans can be recycled, filled and returned to the shop shelf in just 60 days – and this life cycle is never-ending, so long as we all do the right thing and recycle.”

Cllr Neil Emmott, GMCA Lead for the Green City-Region, said: “We hope this striking installation will capture people’s imagination and get them thinking not only about the scale of the waste challenge, but also the potential of recycling and the circular economy.

“Making sustainable choices and recycling correctly are small acts but, when taken together across our city-region, can make such a big difference to our environmental impact. I would encourage people to come along and learn more about the ways they can recycle effectively, helping to play their part in cutting litter and its harmful effects on our environment.”

The Every Can Counts rainbow archway will remain in place until Sunday 6th June. An ideal photo backdrop, Every Can Counts is running a social media photo competition offering the chance to win a £250 shopping voucher. To enter, take a snap of the rainbow and upload it to social media using #EveryCanCounts and tagging @EveryCanCountsUK (Instagram/Facebook) or @EveryCanCounts (Twitter).

Every Can Counts is a unique partnership formed between drink can manufacturers, drink can fillers and the wider recycling industry, all with the goal of reaching a 100% recycling rate for drink cans. To find out more information about Every Can Counts, visit www.everycancounts.co.uk.

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