A new programme promoting aluminium recycling has been rolled out by Preston City Council. Residents are being encouraged to rinse and recycle their clean foil trays and wrapping foil, empty aerosols, drink cans and tins.

‘Clean Me’, a campaign run by the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro), will see creative advertisements placed on billboards, buses and bus shelters across the city. Launching on 10 October, the programme will run for six weeks and aims to increase the amount of endlessly recyclable metal packaging that is recycled by households across the city.

Councillor Carol Henshaw, Cabinet member for climate change at Preston City Council, said “As a council, we’re always looking for ways to further encourage householders to recycle as much of their waste as possible. Working in partnership with Alupro to deliver this new campaign will allow us to engage with thousands of residents, encouraging them to think carefully about how they dispose of aluminium packaging.

“While most households in Preston already recycle a high percentage of used aluminium, we want them to go one step further and rinse these materials to minimise the risk of contamination. It’s a simple job, but one that really benefits the environment!”

Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro, added “Initiatives such as our ‘Clean Me’ foil campaign are vital to our work in educating the public about best practice recycling. The great thing about aluminium is that it’s infinitely recyclable – you can melt it down and reform it to create new products or packaging materials time and time again. By rinsing cans, tins and trays, you minimise the risk of food residue from contaminating recycling loads, so encouraging householders to do this is such a beneficial initiative.”

ENDS