Waste management firm SITA UK has enlisted the expertise of local army cadets to help deliver recycling awareness postcards in North Tyneside with the aim of boosting recycling rates.
Delivery of the cards will be completed as part of the cadets training exercise. The exercise will also help the cadets towards obtaining their Cadet in the Community for Army Proficiency Certificate and go towards an
element of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. In return for their efforts, SITA UK is making a cash donation to the cadets, which will be used to help to
fund their summer camp in August.
The Northumbria Army Cadet Force cadets will be delivering the postcards this weekend (1st and 2nd July), across North Tyneside. There are 60 cadets aged between 12 and 18 taking part, all of whom are based at North Shields
and Walker Detachments in 'Z' Company.
The postcards are designed to raise awareness of recycling and feature pictures of ketchup bottles, which are just one of the many items that can be recycled in North Tyneside. On the back of the postcards is a recycling calendar, which details resident's specific collection days. Also included are helpful recycling tips, dos and don'ts, further information about
recycling and relevant contact numbers.
North Tyneside Council is constantly working to improve recycling figures and, with the help of its residents, recycled over 21% of household waste in
2005/06 - exceeding their target of 18%.
Cpl Adam Mitchell, aged 17, from North Shields Detachment said: 'The cadets are gaining valuable planning and logistical experience from coordinating
this distribution and we're pleased to be part of the campaign to raise recycling rates in North Tyneside. SITA UK has been generous in supporting our group's summer camp and providing us with an opportunity to put our
training into practice".
Tracy Smith, Contracts Administrator for SITA UK, who is also a Commissioned Officer with Northumbria Army Cadet Force, helped set up this initiative.
She said: 'SITA UK is pleased to be able to support local community groups in North Tyneside and values the cadets hard work and dedication on this
project. We are committed to improving recycling rates in the area and work closely with North Tyneside Council to ensure the collection service is as
convenient as possible for local people. The postcards are just one part of that process.'
North Tyneside Council is also supporting the initiative. Kevin Evans, Waste Strategy Officer for North Tyneside Council said: 'We are constantly looking to find innovative ways of helping people recycle more and these postcards
are an effective way of doing that. I would like to thank the army cadets for all their work and expertise, as this is a large scale project which needs careful planning and implementation.'