A new online video competition was launched last week (22 June) designed to boost carton recycling locally.
Chichester District Council has joined forces with carton-maker Tetra Pak to encourage residents to squash their used cartons before recycling them. The ‘How do you squash yours?’ competition challenges residents to come up with the most original way to squash their empty cartons.
National figures indicate that around 5 million drink and food cartons are used in Chichester District each year. According to tests carried out by carton industry body ACE UK (Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment), every resident in the Chichester District could fit in at least three times more milk or juice cartons in their bins if they simply squashed them first. Not only would this help save space in kitchens, but it would also enable more to be packed into collection vehicles therefore reducing transportation.
Whether sitting on it, flattening it with a space hopper or getting the local rugby team to squash it in a scrum, there are lots of ways that people can squash their empty cartons. Chichester District Council and Tetra Pak are challenging residents to film their most imaginative ways of flattening their cartons, and post their clips on www.howdoyousquashyours.co.uk. Entries close at midnight on Sunday 1 November 2009. The winning entrant – voted for by the public later this year – can choose either:
a ‘chance of a lifetime’ place on an exciting international environmental adventure – from a wildlife conservation trip in South Africa to volunteering with turtles in Panama; or,
an Eco TV, 50 DVDs and a supply of wine or smoothies in Tetra Pak cartons.
Councillor John Connor, Portfolio Holder for the Environment at Chichester District Council, said: “We are supporting the ‘How do you squash yours?’ competition to get more people squashing every time they recycle. This will help provide more space in their burgundy recycling bins and reduce the number of vehicles needed for transporting material collected. Residents have responded really well to the opportunity to recycle food and drink cartons in their burgundy bins , but we wanted to do something different to encourage them to recycle as many of their cartons as possible.”
Tetra Pak’s Recycling Operations Manager, Fay Dashper, added: “The response to the carton recycling facilities in Chichester District has been stunning, but we want everyone to be able to make the most of them. We were surprised to find out just how much difference squashing cartons could make to increasing the capacity for people to recycle – at least three times more cartons can be included in the collection vehicles!
“We’re also hoping people can have fun coming up with new ways of squashing their cartons – our team certainly has!”
To enter the competition or view the amusing videos already created by other entrants, visit www.howdoyousquashyours.co.uk.
For more information on recycling in the Chichester District, call 01243 534619 / 534617, email wasteandrecycling@chichester.gov.uk or visit www.chichester.gov.uk. For more information on beverage carton recycling, visit www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk or www.ace-uk.co.uk.
Please remember: squash your cartons before recycling. These cartons can be recycled into envelopes, plasterboard liner, paper carrier bags, broom handles, roof tiles and even garden furniture.
About carton recycling
We estimate that 54 cartons are used per person per annum in the UK, representing over 200 cartons a year for a typical family of four.
Cartons can be recycled in the local area at by placing them in the burgundy recycling bins, which are collected every fortnight from all domestic properties.
About ‘How Do You Squash Yours?’ competition
Visit www.howdoyousquashyours.co.uk for full details
Entrants are required to film a video of what they think is the most original way to squash a paper-based liquid food and drink carton, such as those made by Tetra Pak. The carton must end up squashed at the end of the video
Videos must be uploaded onto YouTube and tagged with the words how do you squash your Tetra Pak carton competition to be eligible to enter the competition
The closing date for entries is midnight on Sunday 1 November 2009
The shortlist will be placed on www.howdoyousquashyours.co.uk for public vote, which will close at midnight on Sunday 29 November 2009
Please see full Terms & Conditions available on www.howdoyousquashyours.co.uk
