A can-tastic tree-modelling competition aims to raise awareness of recycling in Gloucestershire school children.

Keen pupils at Tewkesbury School attended an exciting tree-sculpturing competition launch for Gloucestershire Secondary Schools this Monday. This follows a successful launch for Primary Schools at Linden Primary, Gloucester last week.

The competition, which is being held by the County Council in conjunction with Avon Metals Ltd, invites all Gloucestershire Schools to take part. Schools will be set the task of producing a tree made from aluminum foil and cans and the tree can range from 2ft to 8ft in height.

The winning primary school and secondary school will receive a camcorder courtesy of Avon Metals Ltd, with runners up prizes of £100 for second and £50 for third places. All schools taking part will receive a fruit tree of their choice to plant at their school.

Steven Munnoch the Managing Director of Avon Metals Ltd said
“Avon Metals is delighted to sponsor this worthwhile competition - it is important to educate today’s generation of the importance of recycling aluminium to help develop a sustainable future. We hope it inspires youngsters to take a “leaf” out of our book and become committed recyclers.”

Kate Cole the County Council’s Waste Education Officer said
“In 2005 Gloucestershire residents threw away nearly £2 million worth of aluminium packaging. By landfilling all this aluminium, we have lost valuable resources forever. We hope this competition will encourage young people to recycle more things more often.”

Judging of finished trees will take place in the first week of December and the winning trees will be exhibited in The Mall East Gate, Gloucester, for public viewing.