Waste turns into charity cash (From Gazette Series)

Waste turns into charity cash

GLOUCESTERSHIRE residents, businesses and organisations have raised more than £6,000 for the Winston's Wish charity through the Gift for Gloucestershire recycling initiative introduced by the Get it Sorted Waste Campaign last July.

The scheme encourages firms and householders to recycle used printer cartridges and old mobile phones.

Inkjet/laser cartridges are collected, recorded and sorted for re-manufacture, while mobile phones are shipped to developing countries where they are reused. Funds raised are donated directly to Winston's Wish, the Gloucestershire charity providing support to bereaved children and young people following the death of a parent or sibling.

Campaign director Stefan Wilczak said: "We are absolutely delighted. We now have a great number of individuals and well over a hundred businesses participating in the scheme. You can see our distinctive blue and yellow collecting boxes with pouches in banks, supermarkets and other public places all over the county."

Caroline Woodise, from Winston's Wish, said: "Winston's Wish would like to say a huge thank you to everyone supporting this scheme. Its great news, not only because it helps fund our work but also helps reduce waste".

It is easy to recycle old mobile phones and chargers and inkjet cartridges using the special Gift for Gloucestershire pouches. These are available at local authority reception areas.