A TEAM from Redditch are taking part in Red Bull’s famous Soapbox Race this weekend.

The four-person crew from Every Can Counts, which is a non-profit recycling programme have built a recycling-themed soapbox to tackle the course at London’s Alexandra Palace.

Every Can Counts’ part-can, part-plane soapbox design will take on an obstacle-filled, downhill track, racing against 70 other teams on Sunday, July 3 in the hope of crossing the finish line with the fastest time.

To create the soapbox structure, Every Can Counts partnered with Leicestershire-based Cyclone Works which design and manufactures custom bikes.

The soapbox has taken the team 18 weeks to make, from drawing to finished product.

Redditch Advertiser: Every Can Counts' soapbox. Every Can Counts' soapbox.

Chris Latham-Warde, Every Can Counts’ UK programme manager, said: “I’ve watched the Soapbox Race on TV for years and our team of recycling ambassadors have attended previously, but I never thought I’d actually be taking part!

“It just felt like a fantastic opportunity to spread our recycling message in an exciting new way.

“We want to use the race to reach as many people as possible and show how important recycling drink cans is.

“People might not think too much about what happens when you put an empty can in a recycling bin, but they can be recycled, refilled and back on shop shelves in just 60 days – or they could even be recycled into something else made from aluminium, like a bicycle or part of a car or plane – or maybe even part of a soapbox!

“We’ll be representing recyclers everywhere when we take to the course this weekend, so we really want to finish the race – which is an achievement in itself – and hopefully set a good time.”

The team’s participation aims to inspire people to empty drink cans by highlighting the infinite recyclability of cans and the many uses for aluminium as a material.