Press Release

November 2005 - Choose2Reuse Campaign wins its first environmental award

The 'Choose2Reuse' campaign has been awarded a prestigious environmental award at The House of Commons.

Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network's (CCORRN) 'Choose2Reuse' campaign has been recognised as an example of international environmental best practice by the Green Organisation.

One year on from when the 'Choose2Reuse' campaign was first launched, it was proud to accept its award at a ceremony held at the House of Commons on November 8th.

The 'Choose2Reuse' campaign, working in partnership with the Association of Charity Shops and the Essex Community Reuse and Recycling Network, received £111,000 earlier this year from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Environment Action Fund to extend the campaign across the Anglia Region.

The 'Choose2Reuse' campaign encourages people to think twice before they throw away items in good condition that could be reused by community groups and charity shops. It also aspires to close the loop by highlighting the benefits of buying nearly new goods and to encourage members of the public to become actively involved in some type of reuse activity by becoming a 'reuse champion'.

Kay Barnes, Development Officer for CCORRN, said the award came just as national and local charities prepare for the launch of the campaign through their charity shops in the Anglia Region.

Kay said 'We're delighted with the award. It shows that our campaign is really taking hold with people. It's encouraging to receive this award while we're planning to go regional. It is a real partnership project - with community sector charities and groups, local authorities and other support organisations pulling together to make a real difference to local people and local communities'.

Notes to Editors:

For further information on Choose2Reuse or CCORRN, please contact Nikki DiGiovanni, Project Co-ordinator on 01354 742300 or e-mail: info@ccorrn.org.uk.

Fact file:

1. The Choose2Reuse campaign is being funded by a Defra Environment Action Fund grant with £110,000 over three years and is being delivered by the Association of Charity Shops in partnership with the Cambridgeshire and Essex Community Reuse and Recycling Network's (CCORRN & ECORRN).
2. Choose2Reuse was created in Cambridgeshire by CCORRN in 2004 and is being extended across the Anglia Region (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk).
3. The Environmental Action Fund (EAF) helps voluntary groups in England promote sustainable development through projects on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP).
4. The launch of the campaign through the charity shops will take place in January 2006. More information will be released nearer the time.