Can we help you recycle?

Manchester residents who want more opportunities to recycle metal objects are being invited to say where they want new can banks to be placed..

Manchester City Council has obtained 60 new portable banks in which cans and other metal products such as aerosols and tin foil can be deposited.

The council is now asking for residents' input on where these banks can be placed - by schools, shopping centres or car parks near you.

The wheeled banks can be locked into metal frames, and have been funded by European Metal Recycling, after the firm became aware of the city's growing recycling rate.

The company has also provided larger bins which will be placed on supermarket car parks across the city. They will be go to Tesco stores in Burnage, East Didsbury and Baguley, Asda stores in Hulme and Eastlands, Sainsburys in Fallowfield and Heaton Park and Morrisons in Chorlton.

Cllr Neil Swannick, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "The energy saved by recycling just one aluminium can is enough to run a television set for three hours, so this is clearly an important issue and the city council is committed to providing as many recycling bins as possible."

"We know Manchester residents are keen to recycle, and we want to make it easier for them to do so."

Anyone with ideas about where the new can banks should be placed should contact the Waste and Recycling Team on 0161 234 1380 or visit http://www.manchester.gov.uk/. The council cannot guarantee the banks will be placed at every site mentioned, but we will look into all enquiries.

Manchester City Council launched Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 at Manchester Town Hall.

The campaign will run until 24 May 2008, featuring 100 days of intense activity all over Manchester with the first 50 days focussing on green issues - primarily waste minimisation, recycling and climate change - and the next 50 days focussing on community clean-ups, local environmental improvements and planting schemes.

The council will also be asking residents and businesses about what they want the council to do to help them minimise waste and recycle more.

Challenge Manchester began in 2004 with "Challenge Manchester: 100 Days to a Clean City", and in its fifth successful year the campaign returns to its core aim to "clean up" the city.

More information about Challenge Manchester and how you can participate appears on our website http://www.challengemanchester.co.uk/. You can also e-mail campaigns.team@notes.manchester.gov.uk or telephone 0161 954 9000.

Media contact:

Conrad Astley, tel: 0161 234 4027