UK Launches Recycle Week with Recycled Sculpture

While the Coca Cola company hasn’t always been eco-friendly (there have been rumors regarding pesticide use and Coke has been involved in battling some recycling legislation), they’ve also worked to help the environment.  The company has electric delivery vehicles and they’ve added wind power to some of their manufacturing plants.  Well, now the company has done something else—they’ve trashed the UK coastline with millions of aluminum cans!

But wait, before you judge the company harshly, know that this was planned.  Coke has created a huge recycled sculpture to celebrate and support the UK Recycle Week, the week between June 22nd and June 28th.  The sculpture is more than 50 meters across and is made completely from used aluminum cans.  The image created is from Coke’s 1949 summer poster and features a woman relaxing on the beach with a large bottle of Coke behind her.  The sculpture has been dubbed the world’s largest sculpture to be created out of all recycled materials.

Recycle Week and the giant sculpture were created to help bring more attention to recycling and what it can do for the environment and the amount of energy we use.  Throughout the rest of the week, various recycling programs and activities will be held across the UK.

In addition to creating the sculpture and sponsoring many Recycling Week activities, Coke has also launched an educational program promoting recycling and is actively working to create recycling stations in shopping centers, parks, and airports.  The idea here is to make it just as easy to recycle when out in public as it is when at home.  While aluminum recycling is certainly a part of these stations, it’s not the only focus: paper, glass, and other materials will also be recycled.

Five Incredibly Green Cities

Many cities around the world are going green these days, but there are five that have simply outdone the rest. These five cities have very small carbon footprints, have great recycling programs, and use reusable energy in unique and creative ways.

Freiburg, a city in Germany, has been a leader in green community living for quite some time. The city’s central area was actually rebuilt to be green after it was destroyed during World War II. Yes, the city has been green-focused since WWII! Freiburg has a car-free area, a solar village, and more.

Portland, Oregon, in the United States is the first city to be named a platinum-level bicycle community. The city also makes great use of renewable energy, recycling, and mass transportation systems. Portland is a great city for those looking to integrate being green with their lifestyle.

Another city in the US, Austin, Texas, is working very hard to reduce the amount of fossil fuel used. They’ve mandated home energy audits to help people increase the efficiency of their homes, and they focus on locally grown foods and farmer’s markets. Austin also holds several green festivals designed to teach people how to be more eco-friendly.

Zermatt, a town in Switzerland, has become a huge tourist destination. However, you won’t find cars in the town. Streets are for pedestrians and bikes only, and large loads are actually hauled through town on hand carts and small electric carts. If you want anything larger than that, you must have a special permit.

Finally, Montreal, in Quebec, Canada, regulates carbon emissions, has implemented the Bixi bike sharing project, and more. The city is one of the leaders in being green, and many other cities look to Montreal as their guide in reducing waste and recycling.

Ways Cities Can Be Greener

Some cities do a great job of being green.  They have mass transit systems, they have great recycling programs (and people actually participate in them!), and they do everything they can to encourage greener living.  However, some cities could use a bit of boost in the green department.  Here are a few things they could do (and you could suggest) to be greener.

Encourage walking.  Some cities have very nice plaza areas where people can gather to walk to stores, eat at little outdoor cafes, and more.  But some cities just don’t have these locations.  Instead, people have to drive everywhere.  Likewise, many cities don’t feature walking trails or biking trails throughout the city, so fewer people get out and exercise.

Add mass transit systems.  With the cost of fuel continuing to change often, many people have looked to public transportation to save some money.  Light rails, trolleys, and buses have been used more and more, but some cities lack a good public transportation system.  While adding a rail system can be expensive and difficult, adding more bus routes and trackless trolleys is a great way for the city to both make a little extra revenue and cut down on carbon emissions.  Of course, these buses and trolleys need to be green, but hybrid buses do exist.

Encourage farmer’s markets.  One great example of this are the covered indoor markets found in London.  One of the great things about these large markets is that they’re permanent and they are climate controlled, which, while not always green, encourages people to visit them.  In some cities, farmers have to set up their own stalls or even sell their products from the back of their vehicles.  While that’s OK, it doesn’t create the feeling of permanence, nor does it give any indication that the city promotes green living.