From left to right, Sarah Plant, community and outreach manager of Local Green Points, and Rute Tomaz, winner of the £200 participation prize
A White City resident is the first to reap the rewards of a unique competition to boost recycling rates and reduce dumped rubbish in Hammersmith & Fulham.
The Estates Recycling Challenges pitted residents in H&F’s estates against one another in a competition to see who could be the best at recycling, with a cash prize up for grabs for the victor.
However recycler Rute Tomaz, of Du Cane Road, scooped a £200 prize being offered at random just to one lucky resident, simply for taking part.
Rute said: “I am delighted and really surprised to have won the £200 cash prize.
“I always cared about doing my bit for the environment but I was unsure which materials could be recycled.
“Being part of the challenge has motivated me to get back into recycling, and has taught me exactly what can and cannot be recycled.”
The Estates Recycling Challenge is an innovative way H&F Council has used to increase recycling among estates in the borough.
“Congratulations to Rute and all those residents who have taken part,” said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services.
“We are determined to increase recycling rates, reduce contamination and keep streets clear of rubbish so innovative schemes like this help.
“Every resident who recycles more helps the environment, and helps keep costs down”
The challenge, which is being delivered by specialist provider, Local Green Points, launched in January to 9,000 residents living in 32 estates, divided into four ‘communities’: Hammersmith North, Hammersmith South, Fulham North and Fulham South.
Residents were encouraged to recycle as much as they can, report contamination in their bins and report dumping in order to win prizes for themselves and their community.
As well as the one-off £200 prize, there is also £250 cash up for grabs for the top performing resident in the challenge, as well as £500 for the top performing community.
The challenge ended on 31 March and the other prizes will be awarded later this month.
The winning community will be given £500 to donate to one of five local charities: St Mungo’s Broadway, Response Community Projects, Action on Disability, Friends of Hammersmith Hospital, and the Nubian Life Resource Centre.
