Ryan Hulance is no ordinary 11-year-old boy – He’s someone with a passion for creating a sustainable future. That’s why he set-up the ‘We Can’ Initiative. Today, We Can stands as a growing charity, powered by the passion and commitment of volunteers and community members alike. The ‘We Can’ mission remains clear: To create lasting change by helping both people and the planet thrive.
Commenting on why he founded the ‘We Can’ initiative, Ryan commented: “Nearly two years ago, following the COVID-19 pandemic, I founded the ‘We Can’ charity with a clear mission: to help others while creating a more sustainable future. The idea was born out of the immense pride and fulfilment I felt in supporting my community, and I knew I wanted to find a way to continue making a positive impact. In my search for original ways to give back, I discovered the power of recycling—not only as a way to protect the environment but as a tool to bring people together and strengthen communities. What started as a small, local initiative, with neighbourhood recycling drives and awareness campaigns, quickly gained momentum.”
Recycle With Impact
We all know the power of recycling, and within the aluminium sector, it is something which carries incredible importance with the metal being 100% recyclable, meaning that around 75% of all primary aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
But what Ryan has already achieved in the 2 years since founding the initiative is something quite special. With over 8,000 KG of cans being recycled through the ‘We Can’ charity, this equates to around 350,000 cans. It doesn’t stop there either, as Ryan has also contributed to over £4,500 worth of food being donated to food banks in 2023. The Initiative has also delivered to 23 collection points, supported by Solihull Council and the Solihull Housing Community.
But, for Ryan to continue making waves with the ‘We Can’ initiative, he needs your help. A can baler, in today’s society costs £5,000 and a tipper costs approximately £13,000.
How To Help
As we head into 2025, we have a huge opportunity to make a significant impact on both our communities and the aluminium sector’s commitment to sustainability. By joining forces with the ‘We Can’ initiative, we demonstrate our commitment to corporate social responsibility while directly contributing to environmental preservation. This charity aligns perfectly with the goals as recyclers and with ALFED’s mission to lead in sustainable practices, with the added benefit of enhancing brand perception and employee engagement.
ALFED can drive this initiative forward by sharing your ideas, mobilising resources and connecting you with opportunities to participate in We Can initiatives. To help Ryan on his journey to creating a sustainable future, you can donate anything, however small, to his JustGiving page: Crowdfunding to can baler on JustGiving
To find out more about the We Can initiative, please contact: wecaninsolihull@gmail.com, or call 07469 193 711.
