Orange goes green to help bird sanctuary

A mobile phone store has agreed to reduce its environmental impact and recycle cardboard by donating it to a bird sanctuary, as part of Manchester City Council's Environmental Business Pledge.

The Orange store at Manchester Fort, Cheetham Hill, has committed to join the pledge, in which the City Council rewards companies doing their bit to improve Manchester's environment by granting them bronze, silver and gold recognition awards.

The City Council's 100 Days environmental campaigns team was out and about on Monday talking to shoppers and businesses about how to make Manchester cleaner and greener, and received a positive response from the shops at Manchester Fort. The Orange store immediately agreed to go to at least the silver level of the pledge, and was keen to tell the council about its own efforts to help a bird sanctuary.

The idea was introduced by a member of staff at the store, whose 13-year-old son works as a volunteer at Bury's Greenmount Wild Bird Hospital.

The sanctuary constantly needs clean shredded paper and cardboard for use as bedding and insulation for sick and injured birds, and the store has been donating the material to them over the last four weeks.

Natalie Kerr of the bird hospital said: "Cardboard is something we need in large quantities and it's difficult for us to get hold of. Orange have agreed to provide us with the material, and this has been great for us."

Orange Branch Manager Jo Carrington said: "We are delighted that our used promotional materials and cardboard boxes can be put to such a good use. Helping the bird sanctuary is something that the store is committed to and the staff enjoy doing something to help the local environment.

"We are very interested in the Environmental Business Pledge that the council have been talking to us about this week, and I am pleased that our recycling efforts and our staff travel plan will help us towards the silver award."

Councillor Eddy Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services said: "It's very encouraging to see large companies like Orange getting involved at a local level to support community projects such as this.

"We are delighted to have Orange on board with our Environmental Business Pledge, which can help any company in Manchester reduce their Environmental Footprint. I am sure that their commitment and enthusiasm will see them progress through the award scheme quickly."

Any businesses interested in joining the Environmental Business Pledge, please e-mail campaigns.team@manchester.gov.uk

or call Mark Foden on (0161) 953 2754.

Media enquiries:

Conrad Astley, tel 0161 234 4027.

Manchester City Council launches Challenge Manchester - 100 Days to a cleaner, greener city 2008 on February 14 2008 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.