Record-breakers

Brothers make history with recycling effort

Two environmentally-friendly Coatbridge brothers showed quickfire speed and organisational skills to set a new world record.

Liam and Adam Cassidy hit a pace even Usain Bolt and Mo Farah would struggle to keep up with as they sorted 200 mixed household items into separate recycling containers in a time of just one minute and 49 seconds.

The quick- fingered pair will now be immortalised in the Guinness World Record books for their efforts, which they carried out at an event organised by recycling organisations Viridor and Zero Waste Scotland in Glasgow’s St Enoch’s shopping centre.

Coatbridge High pupil Liam, 15, and younger brother Adam, 11, of Drumpark School, were “thrilled” to achieve their record-breaking success.

The dynamic duo added: “We tried to set as fast a time as possible but were over the moon to find out we had broken the world record.

“Recycling is such an important part of everyday life and we were keen to support the event at St Enoch’s and do our bit for the environment.”

Liam and Adam’s new world record formed one of a whole host of action and events taking place across Scotland during Recycle Week.

Martin Grey, head of public affairs for Viridor, said: “National Recycling Week was a great time to talk to people about recycling and why it matters.

“Recycling is a real Scottish success story but the system only works when people put the right stuff in the right bin.

“Helping with the world recycling record was great fun and a brilliant way to talk to people about how together we can make the system simpler.

“Whilst we didn’t smash the speed recycling record ourselves, we were delighted for Liam and Adam, who are now real record breakers.

“They did an absolutely fantastic job on the day and were well worthy of their superb success.”

Viridor and Zero Waste Scotland are calling on Monklands residents to recycle “more things, more often” in a concerted effort to improve the country’s overall statistics.

Scotland’s household recycling rate currently sits at almost 43 per cent – but the national target of recycling by the year 2025 has been set at an imposing 70 per cent figure.

Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland, added: “After medals and records galore at Rio’s Olympics and Paralympics, we decided that this Recycle Week we wanted to give Scots the opportunity to become recycling record breakers.

“Liam and Adam really stepped up to the mark to take their place in the new record books.

“By being the best recyclers we can, we help to preserve Scotland’s environment, tackle climate change and help our economy.”

For fast facts on recycling, or information on further events throughout the country, visit the Recycle for Scotland website at www.recycleforscotland.com/

Zero Waste Scotland can also be contacted via www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/

On top of the world Liam (left) and Adam start to recycle