Recycling rap hits the right notes
Lyrical wordsmith Mike Livingston is spreading the red bin message with a recycling rap.
The Slough Borough Council recycling collector has composed a rap to easily convey to residents what goes into their red recycling bin.
Mike, known as Mike the Hyype, came up with ‘The Recycling Song’ during the winter’s cold early morning rounds throughout the borough picking up recycling bins and discovering them full of items which cannot be recycled.
Speaking to residents and repeating the same message that JUST Four items can go in the bins and why fast food cartons and black bags among other waste should go in their black bins instead, the rap started whirling round his head.
Converting the music into a track came to fruition after a chance conversation between Mike and the council’s chief executive Josie Wragg. Then with the expert skills of the council’s youth advisor, Karl Drummond, who is a Reggae producer ‘Fresharda’ outside of work, the rap was laid down with the music. DJ/Producer Stevoss who manages Britwell Youth & Community Project’s Recording Studio was also drafted in on the project.
The communications team’s Daniya Kayani then created the video for the rap along with media agency Voss Arts Media LTD.
It debuted at the council’s staff conference where Mike, of Slough, received a rapturous response with staff singing along - complete with an impromptu performance.
The tune is being released in a bid to reach residents who fill their red recycling bins with items like black bags, greasy take away containers, dirty nappies, clothes, plastic toys and fruit and vegetable peelings.
Mike, who has a range of musical influences from UK urban to Jamaican music, and likes to compose raps about anything in his family life, is also known to sing during his rounds.
He said: “On the rounds we meet people who get frustrated when their bins aren’t collected because there is something in them which we can’t take away to be processed.
“But when you take the time to talk to them, and explain why, they listen and understand and the song is just a wider version of trying to inform residents.
“Sometimes if you give a little you get a lot in return.
“What recycling operatives and the council want is for the right recycling to end up in the red bins so more can be reused.”
Karl helped take the lyrics and turn it into a an authentic sound for Mike as well as convey the recycling message.
He said: “We wanted to get the sound and production right so the message resonates with listeners, to get an important message across in a positive and different way to help residents and the council.
“I am also now more conscious of recycling now and what can and cannot go into recycling bins.”
Councillor Rob Anderson, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “Our fantastic staff have such wonderful hidden talents and we are so pleased they are happy to share them with us to promote the services they work in.
“This is just another way to connect with residents and get the message across about the recycling that can go in the red bins and then into genuine streams of recycling in the UK.”
The council accepts JUST Four items in the red bin and they are drink and food cans, plastic in the shape of bottles, glass jars and bottles and clean and dry paper and cardboard.
For more information about what can go it go to www.slough.gov.uk/recycling.
Video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR25wtA8q6k
The Slough Borough Council recycling collector has composed a rap to easily convey to residents what goes into their red recycling bin.
Mike, known as Mike the Hyype, came up with ‘The Recycling Song’ during the winter’s cold early morning rounds throughout the borough picking up recycling bins and discovering them full of items which cannot be recycled.
Speaking to residents and repeating the same message that JUST Four items can go in the bins and why fast food cartons and black bags among other waste should go in their black bins instead, the rap started whirling round his head.
Converting the music into a track came to fruition after a chance conversation between Mike and the council’s chief executive Josie Wragg. Then with the expert skills of the council’s youth advisor, Karl Drummond, who is a Reggae producer ‘Fresharda’ outside of work, the rap was laid down with the music. DJ/Producer Stevoss who manages Britwell Youth & Community Project’s Recording Studio was also drafted in on the project.
The communications team’s Daniya Kayani then created the video for the rap along with media agency Voss Arts Media LTD.
It debuted at the council’s staff conference where Mike, of Slough, received a rapturous response with staff singing along - complete with an impromptu performance.
The tune is being released in a bid to reach residents who fill their red recycling bins with items like black bags, greasy take away containers, dirty nappies, clothes, plastic toys and fruit and vegetable peelings.
Mike, who has a range of musical influences from UK urban to Jamaican music, and likes to compose raps about anything in his family life, is also known to sing during his rounds.
He said: “On the rounds we meet people who get frustrated when their bins aren’t collected because there is something in them which we can’t take away to be processed.
“But when you take the time to talk to them, and explain why, they listen and understand and the song is just a wider version of trying to inform residents.
“Sometimes if you give a little you get a lot in return.
“What recycling operatives and the council want is for the right recycling to end up in the red bins so more can be reused.”
Karl helped take the lyrics and turn it into a an authentic sound for Mike as well as convey the recycling message.
He said: “We wanted to get the sound and production right so the message resonates with listeners, to get an important message across in a positive and different way to help residents and the council.
“I am also now more conscious of recycling now and what can and cannot go into recycling bins.”
Councillor Rob Anderson, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “Our fantastic staff have such wonderful hidden talents and we are so pleased they are happy to share them with us to promote the services they work in.
“This is just another way to connect with residents and get the message across about the recycling that can go in the red bins and then into genuine streams of recycling in the UK.”
The council accepts JUST Four items in the red bin and they are drink and food cans, plastic in the shape of bottles, glass jars and bottles and clean and dry paper and cardboard.
For more information about what can go it go to www.slough.gov.uk/recycling.
Video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR25wtA8q6k
