Published on 12th November 2015

Oakley Adult Opportunity Centre has joined forces with Cheltenham Borough Council to provide collections from the five foil recycling points across the borough.

Residents can take their clean foil containers, pie cases, household wrapping foil, dairy and chocolate foil along to the recycling points at: Sainsbury’s on Prior’s Road; Morrisons in Hatherley, Church Piece car park in Charlton Kings; Bath Terrace car park and the Household Recycling Centre on Swindon Road.

Other items such as crisp packets, pet food pouches and blister packs used for medicines may look like foil but also include plastic film and other materials, so should be left out.

Oakley Adult Opportunity Centre will collect the foil from the recycling points and will take it back to the centre to be sorted.

Cllr Chris Coleman, cabinet member for clean and green environment at Cheltenham Borough Council, says: “We’re pleased to be able to join up with the Oakley centre to provide these foil recycling points for our residents. We’re delighted they can help us with this offering.”

Carolyn O’Neill from Oakley Adult Opportunity Centre, says: “Our service users are actively involved in recycling plastic, steel, glass, paper and cardboard which has been generated within the centre, and service foil banks in the Tewkesbury and Bishops Cleeve areas. They’re looking forward to expanding this into Cheltenham.

“Recycling is a major part of our weekly timetable and we have a core group of service users who are involved. We have a vehicle that is primarily used for recycle collections. We bring the collected foil back to Oakley, sort it, bale it and then sell it on and the money raised goes into our amenity fund. Our members get great satisfaction from this project and making a difference to the environment.”

The foil is taken to Avon Metals in Gloucester, melted down and re-used to make items such as engine parts. The project is supported by Alupro (Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation) who help with the provision of recycling sacks, protective clothing for volunteers and the free loan of a baler.

For media enquiries contact: Laura Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

Notes: Find out about Cheltenham’s other council managed recycling banks and what can be recycled in kerbside recycling boxes across Cheltenham borough.

Oakley Adult Opportunity Centre has up to 50 adults with learning disabilities use its facilities on a daily basis. It is situated in Isbourne Road, Cheltenham and the service users come from Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Bishops Cleeve, Winchcombe, and surrounding areas.

The centre offers a wide range of activities both within the centre and in the local community. It gives the service users the opportunity to explore new experiences and increase their independence. It also enables people to meet up with their friends and enjoy positive social interaction.

 

Alupro is funded by the Aluminium Packaging Industry the organisation works in partnership with local authorities, the waste management industry and the wider metal packaging sector to develop and stimulate the UK’s collection infrastructure.