A giant tin can was in Harlow today to help promote the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle message for Harlow Council.

The can, which is drivable and looks like a giant can of beans, was in the Water Gardens outside Next and ASDA from 10am to 2pm. It has display boards on the back and a video advising people on the benefits of recycling and reducing waste. The metal recovered from recycling old food cans can be used for parts on a car.

The promotion is part of a series of events organised by Harlow Council for its Environment Week. The week provides local people with information and advice on what they can do to protect the environment and reduce global warming. Events include a talk by the British Antarctic Survey, allotment open days and the launch of new energy saving schemes. Today's promotion also coincides with Recycle Now week.

'Recycler', the robot made of recycled materials, will now be rapping his reduce, reuse and recycle message in local schools. Cllr Eleanor Macy says:

"People showed an interested in the can and its message, but the weather wasn't great which affected visitor numbers in the Water Gardens. The purpose of the can was to catch people's attention and get them thinking more about recycling and waste reduction in order to reduce pressure on landfill and the environment. The can shows exactly what happens if you recycle.

Every steel can is 100% recyclable - it can be recycled over and over again into products like car parts, bicycles and new cans. Washed food cans are recyclable from home and can be mixed up with other items and put into blue boxes, white bags or blue bins for flat blocks."