Whilst BCME is involved in UK sustainability projects, there are several projects currently being undertaken in Europe, too. BCME hopes to facilitate the recycling of three out of four beverage cans in Europe over the next five years.
In France, La Boite Boisson (BCME’s French Branch) is involved with Every Can Counts as ‘Chaque Canette Compte’ following the programme’s success in the UK. For the past two years there has been a tie-in with the organisers of sports car endurance race 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as the local authorities. BCME organised collection of drinks cans for recycling from this popular event, had a stand at the race where La Boite Boisson communicated the drinks can recycling benefits and also supplied compactor machines for VIP areas. In total more than 100 kilos-worth of cans were collected. In fact, so successful was the event that this year La Boite Boisson had an even higher profile at the event, including a bigger stand featuring exhibits from the Museum of the Le Mans 24 hours. There were also fun activities educating young visitors. Specially designed recycling bins collected 240 kilos-worth of cans. Additionally, a joint initiative with supermarket group Auchan and Coca-Cola saw special ‘Green Stations’ installed in Auchan’s Bios store last year.
In Spain, BCME’s Spanish branch, Latas de Bebidas, organised a seminar on the sustainability of packaging at international packaging fair Hispack which involved high profile speakers from BCME, Coca- Cola Iberia and the Spanish brewers’ association who were invited to join the debate and air their views. Latas de Bebidas also organised high profile events and exhibitions including the science and art exhibition Ciccienta y Sugerencia, where the annual prize is judged by Latas de Bebidas. Sponsorship activity includes being one of the sponsors of the Animalatas exhibition, which features eye-catching animal sculptures created from used beverage cans by Alain Burban which also went on tour. An exhibition was also created by Latas de Bebidas called Reciclata Art + Science = Recycling, with displays of metal recycling equipment providing powerful focus for the event. The exhibition has been included in the Planet Earth environmental show which will tour several Spanish cities under the sponsorship of Multi Mall Management.
More sustainable projects will be discussed in the next post.
