REPIC’s first ever consumer-facing campaign has been hailed a great success with some 400 people taking part nationwide. Launched to mark the leading WEEE producer compliance scheme’s 10^th anniversary, the competition headed the next phase in raising awareness of responsible recycling.

In total 15 regions across the UK benefited from the REPIC community prize pot, which saw £1,000 given away to each good cause – ranging from a local school to various community groups. Widely supported by REPIC’s local authority partners, the competition was promoted through their websites and social media platforms, as well as being publicised in local papers and on the radio.

With many community groups entering the competition the panel of independent judges were tasked with selecting just 15 deserving causes. The final winners included:

• Choppington Disability Group in Stakeford, Northumberland, who requested tablets for members and canteen equipment
• Fusion Youth Theatre in Grimsby who required equipment for drama productions
• Greenhill Primary School in REPIC’s hometown of Bury, with a request of a fridge to store school milk, along with an iPad for the school council
• Nairn Academy who forwarded entries for 200 pupils expressing why they would benefit from a water fountain
• Pembroke 21C Community Association who provides a focus for activities for the community
• The Community Resources Network Scotland who support a network of over 86 community based organisations across Scotland to reuse and recycle materials
• Earth Time, which provides environmental and outdoor education for children in families in moray and beyond
• East Lothian based youth centre, Recharge
• Bishop Briggs Academy in East Dunbartonshire
• Perranarworthal Pre-school in Cornwall
• Rising Young Stars, an Angus based local Community Youth Theatre group for children aged between 5 – 18
• The 193B Edinburgh Guides
• Funky Families, a community group for families in a deprived area of Norwich
• Moorfoot Primary School in Midlothian who will be getting a selection of ipads

One of the delighted winners, Rebecca Collins, Leader of Funky Families commented: “The competition has been an amazing morale booster for our group. It has given us all the drive and tools to fundraise so we can ensure our group continues to be a success. We are raising funds for trips next year through our Halloween and Christmas Ball productions and our new electrical products comprising of: DJ tech portable PA system, Pro sound twin speakers stand, a laptop, amongst other electrical equipment will really help produce the best quality production we can. We are all so very grateful and excited for the future thanks to the REPIC 10K competition.”

Dr Philip Morton, CEO of REPIC says: “It’s been fantastic to see so much engagement and to read through the varied applications. It’s also great to note that the highest referrals from the competition came through the LAs and we’re delighted with the help we have received from them. We want to express our gratitude and thank everyone who has supported the initiative.”

Local schools, community groups and good causes – such as not-for-profit organisations and registered charities – across England, Wales and Scotland are being given the chance to win £1000’s worth of new electrical products as part of a new responsible recycling initiative. The community prize pot has been put forward by not-for-profit Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling scheme, REPIC, in partnership with a number of local councils.

WEEE is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the UK and REPIC is a major force behind WEEE recycling – successfully financing the collection, treatment and recycling of around half of the UK’s used electrical items. This year REPIC is celebrating 10 years of successful recycling and the giveaway prize pot is the organisation’s way of giving something back to deserving local communities, as well as encouraging further responsible recycling.

Any local school, community group, or good cause can put itself forward for the electrical goodies – or they can nominate another cause. They simply need to say: What new electrical product/products do you need – up to the value of £1,000 – and why? Followed by answering: “What does WEEE stand for?”

Dr Philip Morton, CEO of REPIC says: “We’re proud to celebrate 10 years of successful WEEE recycling and we wanted to mark it with a worthwhile community initiative and hopefully encourage further responsible recycling of electricals at the same time. It’s great to team up with local authorities up and down the country and we’re looking forward to receiving the entries – whether the request is for something simple like a microwave – or whether it’s a higher value purchase such as washing machine or laptop.”

All eligible applications that answer the question correctly will be considered. Full details and terms and conditions are available on REPIC’s Responsible Recycling microsite www.responsible-recycling.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 27^th June 2014.