Recycling company turns tyres into a political statement

A COMPANY which recycles tyres has worked with four young artists to create a picture which sends a message to the main political leaders to consider the environment.

Cheshire-based Re-Bound, which was founded in January, turns the tyres into rubber chippings which are then normally used on children’s playgrounds or as mulch for gardeners.

Raffi Godfrey and Ian Jenkins, both 19, and Hannah Howman, 17, spent four hours piecing together the mural in a bid to remind voters of the importance of recycling.

They inscribed ‘New, Renew, Recycle’ into the four-metre square of artwork which also features Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

The mural has now taken centre stage at Blakemere Craft Centre, in Cheshire.

“It is important that we keep the green issue high on the agenda during the election,” said Frodsham-based

Bob Jones, owner of Re-Bound, which is based in Helsby, near Runcorn, said: “The country faces testing times, but it’s vital that the commitments we make to protect our environment do not take a backseat whilst we deal with our economic problems.

“I hope it helps to get young people excited about politics and also recycling.

“As a company we do our bit. Under European law people can no longer send car tyres to landfill sites, which means we have to find alternative ways to dispose of them.

“Unfortunately this means that thousands of tyres are simply dumped every year throughout the country.”

Ginny Brooks-White, manager at Blakemere Craft Centre, said: “We’re proud to be involved with this project.

“Hopefully it will help inspire the young people who see it to take an active interest in politics.”