Back in 1995 Recycle Works was established by Sylvia Hopwood. Recycle Works were in fact chosen by the UK government to supply a selection of compost bins to be used as part of a national campaign to raise consumer awareness of recycling and to encourage people to take action and recycle now. This campaign is being managed by the government agency WRAP and is offering heavily subsidised compost bins with several choices of style.

This was a huge contract which enabled Sylvia and the rest of the workforce at Recycle Works to embark on their current project: the design and manufacture of a flat pack water butt which they have named the Rainmate. Based in Ribchester this small company has gone from strength to strength over the years and generates interest the world over from Australia to Canada.

Water butts are used to collect and store rain water in the winter months. This water can then be used in the summer months to water plants in gardens. This process of collecting rain water is good for the environment. First of all, by collecting all this water the risk of flooding is slightly being reduced (imagine every household collecting 80 gallons of water!). Secondly, you are reducing the amount of tap water needed, thereby reducing the need to treat the water with chemicals such as Fluoride and Chlorine.

The overriding benefit of the Rainmate is that it can be packed into a box and simply clipped together, making it simple and easy to handle, store and distribute.

To contact Recycle works ring Sylvia on 01254 820088 or visit the website: www.recycleworks.co.uk

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