Posted on: 12th May 2026

Leeds City Mission (LCM) has devised a unique recycling and evangelism initiative.

Over the last few months volunteers and staff at the City Mission have collected the incredible total of 5000 aluminium cans.  The cash generated has been used to purchase 500 tracts for distribution throughout the city.

A tract is a printed leaflet explaining the gospel and is given away free to people exploring the meaning of the Christian faith.

Volunteers, visitors, churches, individual supporters and others have been picking up cans thrown away in the street or collected after hospitality events.  After checking, crushing, and sorting them they have been brought to the City Mission which is located opposite Armley Library in West Leeds.  LCM staff then proceeded to take sacks stuffed full with aluminium cans and foil to the recycling centre where it was exchanged for cash.

LCM Interim Coordinator Andy Dalton explained that the City Misson had an emphasis on providing outreach resources for churches and individual believers across the city.  This project had reduced and recycled waste plus produced cash to buy tracts for distribution.  Volunteers were astounded to see the huge quantity of aluminium cans that had been collected.  They were thrilled to see 500 tracts provided by the Christian publisher 10ofThose from the cash raised through the collection of aluminium tins.

Interim Coordinator Andy Dalton said “We say in Yorkshire - where there’s muck there’s brass!  This initiative has raised money from waste and has enabled the purchase and distribution of tracts in Leeds.  People will be reading the gospel message for the first time as a result of these efforts”

Leeds City Mission is one of the oldest charities in the city being in continuous existence since 1837.  It shares the gospel through word and deed helping marginalised people.  It especially provides support for small churches struggling in difficult circumstances.  It is a multi-church agency.  The City Mission Centre in Mistress Lane Armley offers a range of services.  These include a Christian Book & Card Booth, Charity Shop, Foodbank, Prison Chaplaincy, Welcome Space for the isolated, Clothing Bank, free shower facility for those living on the streets, volunteer opportunities for those trying to reconnect with mainstream living plus other projects.

Photographs accompanying this news article show Leeds City Mission Interim Coordinator Andy Dalton with the huge collection of discarded aluminium cans awaiting dispatch to the recycling centre.  Also a photograph of the Leeds City Mission Hub in Mistress Lane, Armley, West Leeds, LS27 2LJ