Eden Community Recycling

Based in an area of outstanding natural beauty in Cumbria, the Eden Community Recycling (ECR) project is working hard to maintain this beauty with an extensive recycling programme. Despite being located in the most sparsely populated district in England, the ECR's efforts have proved successful. The organisation puts this success down to " innovative thinking, dogged determination and sheer hard work."

The ECR began in 1981 as a voluntary group, operating from one collection point in a fire station car park. However, it has seen substantial growth over the past 25 years. It is now a thriving non-profit company, with its own depot and multiple recycling centres.

Mixed paper, cardboard, cans, foil, mixed glass bottles, beverage cartons and all types of plastic are recycled by the ECR. The public can recycle at 26 locations across Eden and South Lakeland. Most of the 'bring sites' operate out of the car parks of schools, village halls and large stores. Recyclables are then collected by lorries and taken to the depot for baling, before being sent to mills for reprocessing. The ECR prides itself on only using reprocessing plants in the UK, unlike many recycling organisations that ship recyclables out to China.

Householders can recycle for free and the ECR charges a low monthly fee to businesses that use their facilities. Proceeds from the ECR's recycling activities fund its seven staff members (who are aided by a "willing band" of volunteers) and go towards improving its facilities and services, as well as running trials of new recycling initiatives. The ECR also supports schools and community groups by giving out grants from surplus profits. Two years ago, it was able to give £8,000 to community causes in Eden.