Old meets new at Sherwood Forest

Eco-drive will help cut the billions of tins heading for landfill

As part of a campaign to highlight the importance of recycling, one of Britain's oldest trees, the Major Oak, in the heart of Sherwood Forest Nature Reserve+, Nottingham, has been joined by a 15ft giant tree of a very different kind.

The Ronseal Eco Tree of Life was unveiled today as part of the latest initiative from the leading woodcare manufacturer; to encourage people to recycle now before it's too late.

Created by award-winning eco artist, Ptolemy Elrington, the Ronseal Eco Tree of Life is a striking structure made from 500 Ronseal woodcare tins.

Over the last month hundreds of donations have flooded in from Ronseal customers all over the UK, all who have been returning their empty and part-used woodcare tins in a bid to reduce the number that go to landfill.

Vicky Drinkwater, Senior Product Manager Woodcare, at Ronseal, commented: "As the world's landfill continues to increase, people are starting to recognise that recycling is crucial as the environment is at risk.  Around 12 billion steel tins are used every year in the UK and the majority of these end up in landfill.* We devised this campaign to heighten our customers' awareness that their old tins can be recycled rather than just thrown away."

She continued: "The Major Oak seemed like the perfect location for the unveiling as it is one of England's most famous trees, estimated to be over 800 years old.  The juxtaposition of old and new is a poignant reminder that if we don't start to take action then the natural world as we know it could be in jeopardy."

Ptolemy added: "Although many people now recycle the obvious everyday household waste such as glass, plastic and cardboard, recycling of steel is less common.  People aren't so clued up when it comes to their old woodcare tins and often haven't considered that they can be recycled." 

As part of their education into recycling, local primary school children from St Mary's C of E school in Edwinstowe, were on hand to help Ptolemy unveil the Ronseal Eco Tree of Life at the site of the Major Oak, the UK's most loved tree, which has a colourful history and is said to have once hidden Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men from their enemies. 

The Ronseal Eco Tree of Life will now move to The Woodland Trust's Merry Hill site in Hertfordshire where it will stay before heading up north to Ronseal's head office in Sheffield.  The tree will finally be recycled, by tin manufacturer, Impress, with the tins being melted down so that the metal can be used to create more tins.

Tom Rushworth, Senior Account Manager, Impress, commented, "We are delighted to support Ronseal's pro-active approach to recycling awareness.  As a market leader in tin manufacturing, we believe that educating people about recycling metal packaging has a huge part to play in solving the issue of landfill waste.

"All of the tins that we supply are 100% recyclable and contain a 56% recycled steel content.  We hope this campaign will not only encourage the general public to return their empty metal paint and woodcare tins, but that more recycling centres will encourage local communities to recycle."

Ronseal is urging customers to take their used woodcare tins to their local recycling centre, where the local authority will separate the cans and send them back to the steel or aluminum industry for recycling.**

To underline its commitment to the environment, Ronseal has also linked up with The Woodland Trust with the aim of planting 8,000 trees across the UK in 2008 with the help of Ronseal Eco customers.  For each UK household which buys a Ronseal Eco product and registers their purchase on-line, Ronseal will plant a tree in a UK Woodland Trust site.

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For more information please visit www.ronseal.co.uk/eco, please note terms and conditions apply.

+ Sherwood Forest Nature Reserve is managed by Nottinghamshire County Council
* According to www.recyclenow.com
**More details can be found on your local councils website as recycling facilities will vary

ENDS

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The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity.  It has 300,000 members and supporters.  The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people's understanding and enjoyment of woodland.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).  Access to its sites is free.  Further news can be found at www.woodland-trust.org.uk

For more information about Ronseal Eco contact Sarah, Sian, Will or Nick at Lucre on 0113 243 1117 or email Ronseal@lucrecommunications.com

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For further Information please contact

Laurence Simonpieri: Press'Publica: Tel: +33 56 89 56 52 Fax:+33 56 89 56 50   e-mail: l.simonpieri@press-publica.fr

Mary Chapman: Mary Chapman Communications: Tel:  +44(0)1452 720208    Fax:  +44(0)1452 723724    e-mail:  marychpm@aol.com

Discover Impress at: www.impressgroup.com