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Somerset recycling provides boost for African country
Somerset residents are donating fruit trees to a third world country just by recycling cans and foil. Since July 1st 2007 the Aluminium packaging recycling organisation (Alupro) has pledged to donate a fruit tree to Malawi for every tonne of aluminium recycled. Householders in Somerset have recycled 490 tonnes of aluminium since then and our efforts will be recognised in Malawi with a special plaque donated by Alupro.
The 490 trees are planted by British charity Ripple Africa and help combat deforestation and support important community and education initiatives in the small southern African state.
“This is a very good scheme, not just because it provides resources for a deprived area, but also because it reminds us of the importance of recycling,” commented Steve Read, Managing Director of Somerset Waste Partnership. “Recycling massively reduces the overall impact on the environment. Using scrap aluminium to make new packaging uses about a twentieth of the energy needed to make it from ore.”
On a recent visit to the project Cherry Hamson, of sponsoring organisation Alupro, saw the first seedlings growing in special nurseries started by British charity Ripple Africa. “The plant label acknowledging the contribution made by people in Somerset will be given to local community orchards when the trees are planted out,” said Cherry. “This was an idea from one of the Ripple team, who said how great it would be if people in the rural Malawian villages felt a connection to the communities in the UK which had helped them.”
The tree nurseries are run by local garden clubs and schools, which have been growing guava and pawpaw as well as the local lemon rootstock used for grafting the improved fruit species - a new introduction to the area.
The first grafted trees have now been produced by trainees learning their new horticultural skills at the project, and are being cared for both at Ripple Africa’s base on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Many of the trees will eventually be grown by individual families (improving their nutrition), and in community orchards which will provide opportunities for trade. But the project also seeks to identify budding entrepreneurs who will be interested in developing small businesses to dry and juice fruits, and create jobs.
Recyclers across the UK will give around 48,000 fruit trees this year.
For more information on recycling and waste in Somerset, including advice on how you can reduce the amount you produce, log on to www.recyclesomerset.info
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
About the Somerset Waste Partnership:
The Somerset Waste Partnership provides waste and recycling services on behalf of Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor and West Somerset District Councils, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Somerset County Council.
About Alupro:
A not-for-profit company which represents the leading aluminium packaging producers and reprocessors in the UK. Alupro’s role is to ensure that national packaging waste recycling targets are met through working with local authorities and other partners, and through public education. Alupro is also the body responsible for working with Government on policy issues.
About Ripple Africa:
British charity Ripple Africa is already working with 135 village communities, in an area of Malawi about the size of Kent, on an ambitious environmental programme to build sustainability into woodland management.
Somerset recycled over 50% of household waste in 2007/8.
21 August 2008
For further details contact Mark Blaker
01823 671714
Email: Mark.blaker@somersetwaste.gov.uk
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