RSPB recycling appeal

The RSPB is a UK based charity "working to secure a healthy environment for birds and all wildlife".  There are over 1 million members of the RSPB, around 195,000 of these are children. The charity was set up over 110 years ago by volunteers. Their amazing work is funded by donations and memberships. There are around 200 nature reserves in the UK which are home to approximately 80% of our most threatened and rarest species. More than 12,000 volunteers work with the RSPB. The work carried out by them is mainly to protect the habitat of birds and wildlife, conservation, protection, law enforcement and education in schools, nurseries and around various events in the UK throughout the year.

As previously mentioned, the RSPB rely on donations to enable them to carry on their vital work. There are many ways in which we can support them and these are just some of the support we can give:

1. Membership - Adults can join for as little as £3 per month by direct debit. Families can join for around £5 per month. Children can become members for £16 per year for one child and £26.50 for two or more children. Memberships can be paid monthly if desired.
2. Fundraisers - Why not hold a fundraising event with proceeds to RSPB, or take part in one of the many events up and down the country throughout the year. Details can be found on their website www.rspb.org.uk
3. Gift Aid - If you are a UK taxpayer, for every £1 donated in the form of donations or membership, the RSPB can get a further 28 pence from HM Revenue and Customs.
4. Online shop/catalogues - The organisation have a fantastic range of products from binoculars, gifts, bird food and household goods. Why not treat yourself or buy someone a present from their shop. Not only will you be giving a gift that genuinely means something, you will be helping raise funds too.

• 100% of the profits go to helping birds and wildlife.
  

The RSPB launched a recycling appeal in 2005. Money which is raised from the recycling appeal will help them to continue conservation work throughout the country. The appeal collects old mobile phones and used printer ink and laser cartridges for reuse and recycling, raising much needed funds.

For every mobile phone or ink/laser cartridge received, the RSPB receive a cash donation. Recycling is completely free. Freepost envelopes are available for less than 10 items, and for over 10 items, a free courier uplift can be arranged.

Ink Cartridges - Over 1.1 billion ink cartridges are used every year worldwide. Every empty ink cartridge thrown away is estimated to take up to 1000 years to decompose because of the type of plastic used in manufacturing. Over 30 million used cartridges are dumped in the UK each year. Cartridges can be reused up to 7 times which would greatly reduce the amount we send to landfill sites. 20-30% of cartridges sold in the world are remanufactured - this is an amount which we should all try to increase.

Mobile Phones - The average person in the UK changes their mobile phone every 18 months. Less than 20% of old mobile phones in the UK are recycled. More than 80 million handsets are estimated to be hiding in drawers and cupboards. There are approximately 50 million mobile phone subscribers in the UK. Mobile phones contain dangerous substances and chemicals which need to be disposed of very carefully e.g. Lead, Beryllium and Cadmium - If sent to a landfill site, they will eventually leak into the soil and pollute the environment which puts our birds and wildlife in danger.

When you get a new mobile phone, donate your old one for recycling. All you have to do is ensure that it is fully charged and switched off. Mention the scheme to your friends, family and work colleagues - the more people who know about it the better.

Don't discard your old ink or laser cartridges, as these can be sent to the recycling appeal. Why not mention to everyone you know. You may know or work for a large company who would be willing to donate their old cartridges to this appeal.

It couldn't be easier, simply log onto www.recyclingappeal.com/rspb for more information, to request freepost envelopes or to arrange a courier uplift. If you prefer to telephone, the number is 08712 505050

BIRDS AND WILDLIFE DON'T HAVE A VOICE, SO IT'S UP TO US TO SPEAK FOR THEM.