Exeter City FC collects 700,000+ cans

And turns them into cash

Projects run by Exeter City Football Club and its charity Exeter City Community Trust are getting a total of £10,000 thanks to 700,000 used drinks cans.

Previously donations have been made towards a football kit for refugee team Exeter United, a mental health awareness programme for the ECFC Academy, a defibrillator for Cliff Hill training ground, as well as improvements to St James Park and its Memorial Garden.

The fundraising scheme called Cans4City, launched by the club in 2005 after a period of financial trauma picked up momentum after partnering with Exeter City Council in 2019.  Since its formation, it has collected nearly three quarters of a million cans.

Now it has around 20 aluminium recycling points in the city and throughout Devon, including many on the club's grounds, and has recruited over 100 volunteers.  It also raises money by partnering with community litter picks and beach cleans across Devon and Cornwall. Collection points include  Red Square at St James’ Park, the Old Tiverton Road Co-op, and The Devon Yeoman pub on Beacon Lane.
  
Last year, the team behind Cans4City were also presented with a national recycling award – a Green Can Award – by not-for-profit Every Can Counts in recognition of their outstanding recycling efforts.
 
Exeter City Football Club's chief operating officer Justin Quick said: “Our next target is to hit one million recycled cans and we’d love everyone to get involved – whether it’s one can or 500 – each really will help to make a difference.”

Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts, said: “Cans4City is an award-winning example of a start-up project working in partnership with its local council to deliver real benefits to not only the local community, but the environment too. We hope other organisations around the country can get inspired by what Cans4City has achieved since its launch and follow in the footsteps of this great initiative.”