A Crewe community group have won a national recycling award for their ongoing efforts - seeing over 200,000 drink cans recycled in the last decade.

Crewe Clean Team were presented with a Green Can Award by not-for-profit, Every Can Counts, in recognition of their achievements.

The group of committed volunteers with over 200 members take part in community litter picks throughout Crewe - as well as collecting and recycling aluminium.

Crewe Clean Team has over 200 members who take part in community litter picks throughout the town (Crewe Nub News).

Aluminium recycling is a key focus for the group.

Volunteers have collected 210,000 aluminium cans for recycling since the initiative was established in 2012.

As well as litter picking, the group collects aluminium packaging from local businesses, including hair foil from a salon, foil trays from a takeaway and empty drink cans from a local pub.

All aluminium is then taken and sold to local scrap metal business, Houston & Sons Limited, Victoria Avenue.

The money raised is then reinvested into the scheme, including buying additional litter picking equipment and raising awareness of the group within the area to recruit volunteers.

Chair of Crewe Clean Team, David McDonald, told Nub News: "I couldn't have predicted the scale of the scheme now when we set out 10 years ago, but it really has taken off.

Crewe Clean Team has now grown to 216 members (Crewe Nub News).

"Over two hundred volunteers make up Crewe Clean Team, so it really is a joint effort and we're all thrilled with the award.

"All of our members understand the importance of recycling and have communicated this message throughout the community.

"It's been great to see how this has manifested in better habits within the town and a steady influx of new volunteers.

Those interested in getting involved with Crewe Clean Team can get in touch via email - [email protected].

The team also work on other environmental initiatives, such as bulb-planting.

Mr McDonald said: "We now pick up aluminium from a number of businesses, including pubs, hairdressers and takeaways, and take it to be recycled as soon as possible.

Crewe Clean Team is one of the new local Co-op causes - supported by Co-op members and the Co-op's Local Community Fund (Crewe Nub News).

"'Id like to say thank you to them for making a special effort. I'd also like to thank all of the members who contribute, whether by collecting the cans or by taking them to Houston and Sons. 

"A lot of the aluminium collected is transported by wheelbarrow, which helps us to be even more environmentally friendly.

"Everyone is so proud of what we've accomplished to date, but there is always more work to be done and we're keen to welcome new faces."

You can check out what Crewe Clean Team get up to via its Facebook page HERE.

Programme Manager for Every Can Counts Chris Latham-Warde, added: "We were so impressed with Crewe Clean Team's efforts when it comes to recycling.

"Their volunteers have helped ensure that hundreds of thousands of drink cans have been recycled over the years.

Crewe Clean Team volunteers have collected 200,000 aluminium cans for recycling since the initiative was established in 2012 (Crewe Nub News).

"This has conserved valuable aluminium as these cans can be infinitely recycled and back on shop shelves, filled, in just 60 days."

"Crewe Clean team is a stellar example of a community-led project that has made a real difference, and we hope they inspire others to make a contribution, no matter how small, to helping protect the environment."

To find out more information about Every Can Counts, visit HERE.

READ MORE: Four teenagers to appear at Crewe court following serious assault in Cheshire.

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