Donations to the children's charity from a national kerbside recycling scheme passed the £1 million mark this month, believed to be the largest amount raised in such a fashion.
The charity recycling programme is run by AbitibiBowater Recycling Europe, which donates £1 per tonne on behalf of participating local authorities for all recyclables it collects from the kerbside.
The charity link began in 1987, since when one million tonnes of paper, cans, glass and textiles have been collected as part of the Save the Children scheme.
Plastics, cardboard and green waste are more recent additions to the kerbside collections, expected to boost recycling rates, as well as the level of donations.
In its first year the scheme raised £5,000 for the charity. Today, donations by AbitibiBowater Recycling Europe approach £100,000 per annum.
"Charity begins at home, we're told," says Ron Humphreys, managing director AbitibiBowater Recycling Europe. "More specifically, we've demonstrated that it starts at the kerbside and that recycling really does pay.
"This is a win-win situation. For those local authorities who are part of the scheme and have seen their tonnages improve and their recycling rates increase as a result. For those local residents who recycle, delivering a tangible benefit to the environment, while raising money for a renowned international charity. And, of course, to Save the Children, who are better off to the tune of more than £1 million.
"We thank all those involved for their efforts over the past 20 years – local authorities and recyclers alike - and are already on our way to the next million," he added.
"This partnership between Save the Children and AbitibiBowater has enabled us to fund vital projects in the UK and around the world," says Jasmine Whitbread, the charity's chief executive. "Every year 10 million children die from diseases that we can easily prevent and cure and here in the UK a shocking one in five children live in poverty.
"It is an outrage that children are being denied their rights to the fundamental things in life we take for granted such as food, healthcare and education. Save the Children is working flat out to change that and with the support of companies like AbitibiBowater, we can make further and faster changes. We are also particularly pleased that this money has been raised at the same time as encouraging the public to recycle, because we must ensure we are creating a sustainable future for children," she added.
Headquartered in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, AbitibiBowater Recycling Europe works with more than 100 local authorities, providing multi-material kerbside recycling programmes to 2.2 million homes.
The company also operates a network of 5,500 paper banks in civic amenity sites, supermarket car parks, in city centres, schools and charity sites.
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