Since its launch last month, several community groups, schools and charities have signed up for their chance of winning £15,000 in the new glass recycling campaign prize draw launched by re3, the waste management partnership for Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham. And the good news is there’s still time for other groups to support the campaign and be in with a chance of winning.
To take part in the prize draw which runs until next year, re3 is encouraging schools, charities and voluntary and community sector organisations to make a commitment to increasing glass recycling at bring banks. This could be by collecting hot drinks jars after a fundraising coffee morning and taking them to a re3 glass bank; telling others about the initiative through social media; encouraging supporters to use a glass bring bank on their way to work; or to give a school assembly or write an article in a community newsletter on the benefits of glass recycling.
In return, groups will be entered into the community fund prize draw. At the end of the campaign in October 2018, prizes will be allocated to 15 schools, charities or community groups in the re3 area – 5 each from Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham. The more glass recycled through the campaign, the bigger the community fund, up to the value of £15,000 or £1000 per individual prize.
There are over 500 glass bring banks located throughout the re3 area, including at supermarkets, parks and recreation grounds, and close to schools, community centres and bus routes.
Community groups ranging from College Town Junior School in Bracknell and the Engine Shed in Reading to 8th Wokingham Brownies in Wokingham are already planning how they might improve glass recycling in their area. As well as possibly winning some valuable cash for their groups, entrants have welcomed the educational value of the campaign. For example, did you know that valuable aluminium is recycled when bottle tops and jar lids are left on glass items taken to bring banks, and all glass bottles and jars can be recycled?
To register your group’s participation in the campaign and to be eligible for the community fund prize draw, please visit the re3 website now for the application form and a full list of terms and conditions.
Competitions and prizes for re3 area residents on social media using the #alottabottle hashtag are also being planned.
Bracknell Forest’s Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Mrs Dorothy Hayes MBEsaid: “Many of us have already started filling our cupboards in preparation for the festive season, so what better time to start recycling any old glass jars lurking at the back of kitchen cupboards. If they contain out-of-date food products, empty them out, give them a quick rinse, replace their lids and recycle them at your local glass re3 bring bank. We’re encouraging as many local schools, community groups and charities to sign up as soon as they can to support this campaign. The earlier groups register, the greater the glass recycling effort, the greater the community prize fund and the greater impact on our environment.”
Reading Borough Council’s Lead Councillor for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Liz Terry said: “There is still scope to collect more glass, including smaller jars like those used for spices or condiments of perfume bottles. With recycling, even small changes can make a big difference.”
Wokingham Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Norman Jorgensen said: “It’s easy to sign up and get involved; go to the re3 website for more details. Don’t forget non-food bottles can be recycled at re3 bring banks; perfume, aftershave and face cream glass bottle can all be recycled.”
re3 area residents are already conscientious glass recyclers and our bottle bring banks are well used. The advantage to using bring banks to collect glass is that bottles and jars can be recycled into higher grade glass products when collected in different containers. However, re3 estimates that 2277 tonnes of glass and jars is still being thrown away annually in household bins and bags in the Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham area. To put that in perspective, a tonne is the weight of a small car.
Two thirds of this glass is clear, with jars as opposed to bottles making up 48% of the clear glass collected from individual households and 70% from communal bins. re3 bring banks accept all types of glass bottles and jars through bring banks, including those for alcoholic and soft drinks and food such as spreads, pickles and sauces. The metal tops and caps from bottles and jars are recycled at the same time as the glass, so after giving your bottle or jar a quick rinse out, replace the cap before depositing it at a re3 bring bank.
By recycling glass, it can be reused in a more environmentally friendly way, as well as contributing towards much-needed waste management savings.
re3 glass bring banks are located throughout Bracknell Forest, Reading and Wokingham. You can find your nearest glass recycling point here.
A short film to launch the campaign can be found here, with more films to follow.
