Iconic 'Coke' Can Creations mark Recycle Week
Iconic aluminium sculptures made from Coca-Cola, diet Coke and Coke Zero cans have been unveiled in four cities across the country to mark the beginning of Recycle Week (2-8 June 2008).
The Angel of the North, Big Ben, Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Birmingham Bull have been re-created in spectacular form by artists* commissioned by Coca-Cola in a bid to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of recycling and to encourage more consumers to recycle their drinks cans and bottles.
While soft drinks packaging is one of the world's most recycled materials, only 25% of plastic bottles and 48% of aluminium beverage cans are currently recycled in the UK.
Liz Lowe, Citizenship Manager at Coca-Cola Great Britain said "‘We hope these dramatic Coke can sculptures will encourage people to think twice about where they throw their empty drinks containers - our packaging is not just waste, but a valuable resource which can be used again and again. Recycling saves energy and we can all do more.
"As a company, we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously and we are working on a number of initiatives to minimise the environmental impact of our products and operations. For example, well over 90% of the waste produced at our manufacturing sites is now recycled, we're gradually making all packaging smaller and lighter and our cans and glass bottles contain around 30-50% recycled material."
The Mayor of London is a supporter of Recycle Week. Boris Johnson, said: "Recycle Week is a fantastic initiative and does a huge amount to encourage us all to recycle more. I hope the sight of one of London's most famous landmarks made from recycled drink cans, will inspire Londoners to make an extra effort to recycle their rubbish, rather than chuck it in the bin and condemn it to a landfill site."
If every person in the UK recycled just one more aluminium drinks can we'd save 9,000 tonnes of CO2 - that's the same as taking 2,848 cars off the road.
On the eve of Recycle Week, Coca-Cola also announced plans in partnership with WRAP to create 80 "Recycling Zones" across the country over the next three years. Recycling bins will be located in high-traffic public places including theme parks, shopping centres, transport hubs and leisure facilities to allow consumers to recycle soft drinks packaging more easily when they're out and about.
After Recycle Week, the Coke Can Creations will be displayed in various public exhibitions around the country to raise awareness about recycling. Then, of course, they will be recycled.
RECYCLING FACTS & STATS
- An aluminium can given for recycling today can be made into a new can, filled and be back on the shelves in just six weeks. [source: www.alupro.org.uk]
- Just one recycled aluminium can saves enough energy to run a television set for three hours. [source:www.alupro.org.uk]
- Recycling aluminium requires only 5% of the energy it takes to make new aluminium - and produces only 5% of the CO2 emissions. [source:www.alupro.org.uk]
- £36 million worth of aluminium drinks cans is thrown away each year. [Source: www.alupro.org.uk]
- In the UK, 80% of all drinks cans are made of aluminium. [source: Waste Watch]
- Recycling just one plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a 60W light bulb for six hours [Source: Recoup]
- It takes just 25 two litre plastic bottles to make one adult size fleece jacket [Source: WRAP]
‘Coca-Cola', 'Coke', ‘diet Coke', ‘diet Coca-Cola',‘Coca-Cola Zero' and ‘Coke Zero' are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company.
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Notes to Editors:
* The following artists were commissioned by Coca-Cola to design and create the Coke can sculptures:
Robert Bradford - Big Ben, London
Robert Bradford, a London born sculptor, has exhibited both 2D and 3D sculptures around the world in Tokyo, Amsterdam, London and New York. One of his best known pieces is the giant bee sculpture, a permanent feature at the Eden Project, Cornwall, where he now lives. This sculpture as well as many others has utilised reusing materials in a sustainable manner.
Stuart Murdoch - Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
Since graduating with a double first class honours degree in sculpture at Stoke On Trent School of Art, Stuart Murdoch has enjoyed a 30 year career as a special effects superviser utilising both his artistic and technical expertise. He started out working for the BBC, and after 10 years set up his own visual effects company. For the last few years Stuart's work has mainly focussed on feature films.
Sam McGeever - Angel of the North, Gateshead
Sam McGeever graduated from Newcastle University with a Fine Arts degree in 2000. He worked as an apprentice to renowned blacksmith artist William Pyn, nurturing a fascination for three-dimensional art. Sam has worked as a freelance sculptor on a variety of projects ranging from art education workshops to sculptural shelter designs for public parks as well as a myriad of personal art projects. His dynamic approach has allowed Sam to complete fascinating pieces including miniature steel industrial landscapes and sound installations, many of which are on display at various locations including Salt Well Park in Gateshead.
Pamina Stewart - The Bull, Birmingham
Pamina Stewart has worked as an artist in Birmingham since 1990 when she completed her MA in Fine Art from The Birmingham Institute of Art and Design. Her work consists of figurative sculptures and 3D constructions and has been exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. She also regularly runs workshops in schools, community centres and youth clubs.
Coca-Cola Great Britain and Coca-Cola Enterprises are both focused on minimising the environmental impact of their products and operations in GB in three key ways:-
Reducing Energy Use: ‘Coca Cola' manufacturing sites in GB have seen a 16% reduction in energy ratio usage since 2001.Greener journey planning and the use of smaller vehicles for smaller loads has also saved 300,000 road miles per year.
Reducing Water Usage: By using metering systems and using water recovery systems here in GB, ‘Coca-Cola' has improved its GB water usage ratio by 21% since 2001.
Waste, Packaging & Recycling: ‘Coca-Cola' has reduced the weight of 500ml PET bottles to just 24 grams, down from 39 grams in 1994, and its iconic glass bottle has been reduced in weight by 20%. Its glass bottles contain approximately 30% recycled glass and aluminium cans contain around 50% recycled aluminium. ‘Coca-Cola' is encouraging customers to recycle, by placing WRAP-endorsed recycle messages on its products and by running consumer facing recycling schemes such as ‘Talent from Trash' (www.talentfromtrash.co.uk) and Recycling Zone. Over 90% of the waste produced at our manufacturing sites is now recycled, with just 10% going to Landfill - a 68% reduction since 2002.
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio includes 12 other billion dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.
