A plastics recycling initiative is teaming up with the seaside town of Bournemouth in an attempt to break at least one world record for artwork made from recycled plastic packaging.
The initiative, #pledge4plastics, is a government-backed national plastic recycling scheme, led by recycling consultancy Recoup.
The ‘rubbish into art' campaign will run throughout the summer and encourage both local residents and visitors to Bournemouth to take more of their litter and household waste.
According to a spokeswoman, the organisers hope to break a world record for removing lids and labels from five plastic bottles, and set a new world record for the tallest stack of pots.
“Getting people involved in these two world record attempts are a way of highlighting what can be recycled by residents both at home and on the go," she said. The record attempts will be made during the Bournemouth Arts Festival in October.
Councillor Michael Filer, portfolio holder for cleansing and waste at Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “Our seafront team work extremely hard every day to make sure Bournemouth's beach is beautiful for the daily influx of thousands of visitors, and it's pleasing that the vast majority of people put their packaging in the bin or take it home to recycle.
“However, we want to make sure even more is recycled, and so we've partnered up with #pledge4plastics to promote awareness and drive home the message that more can still be done.”
Bournemouth handles nearly 362 tonnes of rubbish material from its beachside bins every year, while Viridor, the council's contractor, processes its recycling and sends more than 1,842 tonnes of the town's plastic packaging to be made into new products.
Stuart Foster, recoup's chief executive, said the initiative was encouraging locals and visitors to recycle.
“On a lovely summer's day, there's nothing better than a trip to the seaside, a snack and a swim in the sea.
“You can recycle ‘on the go' in most places and certainly at world class resort, Bournemouth. We're encouraging residents and tourists to recycle more and help set a new world record.”
The Bournemouth initiative is being supported by RPC, Valpak, PlasticsEurope, Marks & Spencer and Coca-Cola Enterprises.