From small cans mighty oaks do grow

1.43.53pm GMT Sun 11th Mar 2007

The aluminium recycling efforts of the borough's residents have earned a bumper harvest of trees for eight of the borough's primary schools.

Richmond Council takes part in the Trees for Africa campaign run by Tree Aid and recycling organisation Alupro, who buy a tree for every tonne of aluminium collected in the borough. The borough sent 86 tonnes of the metal - equivalent to 5.5million drink cans - for recycling last year, earning 86 trees in the process. Half have been donated to projects in Africa with the remaining 43 offered to the borough's primary schools. The Council's Parks Department this week began planting the native species, including oak, rowan, silver birch and field maple, and advising pupils how to look after them.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said:

"This wonderful campaign rewards the borough's excellent record on aluminium recycling. It provides much-needed trees for communities in Africa, and also shows youngsters in our borough the benefits of recycling."