Press Release Template

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Use - (insert date)

RUBBISH MATTERS TO (name of group/org)!

They say one person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure - this is certainly true for (name of group/org) who have just launched a new Recycling Appeal that will turn old mobile phones and used printer cartridges into much needed funds for the organisation.  

(name of group representative) of (name of group/org) said: “Fundraisers traditionally call for donations of money, but not ours! Instead, we want items usually placed in the bin.  

“With fancy new mobiles coming onto the market every month, people are replacing their handsets more than ever.  The old ones usually end up binned, or are thrown in a cupboard or drawer, adding to the millions of redundant mobiles piling up across Europe.”   

(name of group/org), which (briefly describe nature of group/charity’s work), is running their fundraising recycling campaign in partnership with experts at the Recycling Appeal, who will give the group around £5 for every mobile phone and around £1 for every printer cartridge collected.  

(name of group representative) of (name of group/org) said:  “Lots of offices bin their inkjet and toner cartridges too – why not donate them instead? You’ll be helping our valuable work, and you’ll be helping the environment at the same time.”

When mobiles and cartridges are binned they end up in landfill sites where they can cause pollution – as they slowly break down, chemicals can leak into the surrounding soil.  By recycling them, you protect the environment.

To participate in this eco-friendly fundraiser, simply drop off your unwanted phones/cartridges at (address of group/appropriate drop off point).  You can also hand them in at the following drop-off points: (include list if applicable) or call 08451 30 20 10 for a freepost envelope.

To find out more about the Recycling Appeal, visit www.recyclingappeal.com or call 08451 30 20 10.

- ENDS -
 For further information contact:

(Insert your full name and DAYTIME telephone number here)

NOTES TO EDITORS:
Printer Cartridges
1. More than 1.1 billion inkjet cartridges are used annually around the world - laid end to end this would be 129 times as long as the Great Wall of China 
2. Each discarded empty laser printer cartridge adds approximately three pounds of waste to our landfills 
3. The plastic used in a typical cartridge is made of engineering grade polymers and is expected to take up to 1000 years to decompose 
4. More than 30 million inkjet cartridges are dumped each year in the UK (1800 tonnes) - the same weight as 18 Blue Whales 

Mobile Phones
1. There are about 50 million mobile phone subscribers in the UK 
2. The average mobile phone user will replace their handset once every 18 months. 
3. It is estimated that less than 20% of all unused mobile phones in the UK are currently recycled 
4. Estimates state that close to 90 million phones are hiding in drawers and cupboards across the UK (11250 tonnes) - these weigh almost six times as much as the London Eye! 

(Name of Org / Group)
(website address)

1. Insert key facts

2. Insert key facts

3. Insert key facts

The Recycling Appeal
www.recyclingappeal.com

1.	The Recycling Appeal is a programme run by Redeem plc.

2.	Redeem plc is six years old and employs close to 90 staff in the UK and Ireland

3.	Redeem has recycled over 2million kg of cell phones and printer cartridges since 1999

4.	Redeem is ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 9001 (Quality Management), EMAS (Eco Management Audit Scheme), Positive about Disabled and Investors In People accredited.