Poole's beach goers will have a fun new way to recycle drinks cans as part of a can recycling initiative introduced by Environmental and Consumer Protection Services (E&CPS).  

The Every Can Counts programme launched today (Tuesday 31 August) on Sandbanks beach and beach-goers were invited to join in recycling cans. 

The Every Can Counts programme is managed by Alupro and aims to increase participation in drinks can recycling outside the home.

Innovative 'can crushing' units have been placed along Poole's seafront to encourage visitors to recycle their cans. 

Cllr Don Collier, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, said: "The residents of Poole have been recycling drinks cans, along with other recyclables, for many years. We are really excited that visitors to our Blue Flag beaches will be able to recycle cans in an interesting new way." 

The scheme is being implemented by E&CPS who believe the Every Can Counts campaign is ideal to help keep Poole's fantastic sandy beaches green. Seafront staff will regularly collect the cans from the can crushers, and send them with the other recycling from the blue bins to be recycled into new drinks cans. The can crushing units will increase the capacity to collect cans for recycling by reducing their volume. The blue recycling bins can still be used for cans, as well as plastic bottles, cardboard, glass and paper.  

Rick Hindley, spokesperson for Every Can Counts, said: "The beach is a beautiful spot. By making it easier for people to recycle their empty drink cans, it can stay that way. Using the can crushers means that while they're enjoying the sea and sun, people are also doing their bit for the environment."  

Each can recycled saves energy and raw materials and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.  Recycling one tonne of aluminium saves nine tonnes of CO2 emissions, compared to manufacturing aluminium from raw materials. Poole has a target to reduce its carbon emissions by 25% by 2013 and by recycling your drinks cans in the crushers you are helping to reach that goal. 

For more information about the Every Can Counts programme visit www.everycancounts.co.uk or tel: 01527 597757.