We are running an exciting artwork competition for schools and community groups in Peterborough. It aims to inspire, encourage and empower people to recycle aluminium cans.
Have you ever thought about what happens to aluminium cans after you have finished with them? Just in the UK, we use around 10 billion cans a year, which is equivalent to 600 for each household.
Did you know that:
- Metal can be melted down and reshaped repeatedly
- Recycling aluminium only uses about 5% of the energy needed to create new aluminium
- Around 75% of all aluminium ever produced since the 19th century is still in active use today thanks to continuous recycling
- Recycled aluminium drinks cans can be processed, remade and back on a shop shelf in as little as 60 days
About the competition
How the competition works
Schools and community groups who wish to participate in the Every Can Counts artwork competition must:
- Complete our online form below to enter the competition between 19 October 2026 and 5pm on 21 May 2027 (please note we only allow one entry per school or community group)
- Arrange with our Waste Team to collect or receive an Alupro Every Can Counts pack, which contains a cardboard can collection bin, bags and posters - we will contact you once you have entered to discuss
- Use the Alupro Every Can Counts pack to collect aluminium cans for the artwork
- Create the artwork using the collected aluminium cans to the specification below
- Email a photo of the final artwork to recycling@peterborough.gov.uk along with the school/group name, artwork title and contact information - by the deadline of 5pm on 21 May 2027
After the competition closes on 21 May 2027, the judging process will begin. Representatives from Peterborough City Council, PECT and Alupro will judge the entries in the following week.
We will announce the winners during June 2027. Our entry form contains a tick box for consenting to be part of publicity.
Categories, prizes and display
There will be three categories in the competition with one winner each:
- Primary schools
- Secondary schools
- Community groups
Each school or group can only submit one entry.
The three winners will each receive gardening vouchers to spend on their school grounds or community group site. Their artwork will also go on display at the Peterborough Celebrates Festival at Ferry Meadows between 18 and 20 June 2027. We will contact winners to discuss about displaying artwork at the festival.
Specification for artwork design
What you make and how you do it is up to you! However, we do have some rules. The artwork must be:
- Made of aluminium cans
- 3D
- Free-standing
- Easily transportable
- Centre on the theme of 'Our Earth, Our Planet'
We will allow for cans to be glued together, painted and decorated.
Enter the competition
The deadline for entering the Every Can Counts artwork competition is 5pm on 21 May 2027.
Information about data protection and consent can be found within the online entry form.
Our partners
PECT
PECT is an independent charity creating more sustainable places. They are working to protect and enhance the environment to leave a legacy for future generations.
PECT educates, inspires, and motivates individuals and organisations to change their behaviour to deliver a positive environmental impact. The charity specialises in using eco-education and awareness-raising to encourage behaviour change and collective action at a local level, to share learnings and to effect change regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Alupro
Alupro is an industry funded, not-for-profit organisation with over 30 years experience representing the UK’s aluminium packaging industry. They work to fulfil the industry’s obligation to meet, and exceed, recycling targets for aluminium packaging.
They are achieving this by working in partnership with local authorities, the waste management industry and the wider metal packaging sector to develop and stimulate the UK’s collection infrastructure. They also manage and run consumer information and education campaigns to encourage participation in recycling schemes.
Every Can Counts
Every Can Counts is a not-for-profit communications programme that aims to inspire, encourage and empower people to recycle their empty drink cans - wherever they are. A partnership between the drink can manufacturers, fillers, leading drinks brands and the recycling industry, Every Can Counts was developed by Alupro and launched in 2009.
Every Can Counts' work raises awareness of the many benefits of recycling drink cans and makes it easier for people to recycle their drink cans when they’re ‘on the go’. To achieve this, they directly engage with a wide range of organisations to both improve drink can recycling facilities and deliver communications that inspire behaviour change.
