Islington scored a hit with an aluminium recycling body last month - receiving over 100 native saplings as a reward for residents recycling aluminium cans and foil. An additional 12 trees will be planted in Africa.<br><br>The trees were awarded to Islington as part of nation-wide recycling appeal 'Trees for Africa and the UK', organised by not-for-profit organisation Alupro [Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation).<br><br>Islington has won one tree for every tonne of aluminium recycled over an 18 month period, which has meant that trees such as English oak, Scots pine and silver birch will be planted in parks, gardens or woodlands in Islington and across the UK.<br><br>Islington is on a mission to get residents recycling more. The recycling rate has doubled from 11 per cent to 23 per cent in two years.<br><br>Lucy Watt, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment, Islington Council said: "This is a great achievement and of huge benefit to our local environment. Many thanks to our residents who have made this possible by helping us to recycle more than ever before."<br><br>Alupro's initiative has proved a big success, boosting aluminium recycling performance by a massive 32 per cent to 65,818 tonnes in the UK. These results mean that 10,729 trees will be grown in the UK, and 55,089 donated to Africa. <br><br>The Africa programme based in the Gabio Forest, Burkina Faso, West Africa will grow trees such as mango, cashew and baobob. The chosen trees will supply food and be used for medicinal uses. And because the flowers provide nectar for the production of honey, which is sold in local markets, they also generate much-needed income to the village communities. <br> <br>Recycling aluminium cans and foil saves 95 per cent of the energy it takes to make it from the raw material and with cans often back on the shelves in just six weeks, the energy savings quickly grow.<br><br> For further information about the campaign please contact Alupro on 0845 7227722 or go to the website www.alupro.org.uk <br><br>ENDS<br><br><br>Notes to the Editor:<br><br>Alupro is working with the charity Tree Aid on the African project. Tree Aid supports some of the world's poorest people living in rural Africa to become self-reliant by helping them secure basic needs and vital income from trees. This is done through training and funding community forest projects. www.treeaid.org.uk <br><br><br><br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009