Aluminium Can Industry Challenge raises $85,000 by recycling more than 193,000 pounds of cans

Rexam's North American Corporate Office in Chicago, IL, received top honors in the 2015 Great American Can Roundup (GACR) Industry Challenge by recycling more than 61,000 pounds of aluminum beverage cans.

The GACR Industry Challenge, sponsored by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), collected and recycled 193,213 pounds of beverage cans, raising more than $85,000 for local charities across the United States.

Rexam's recycling efforts raised nearly $24,500 for various local charities. As the winner of the challenge, the company receives an additional $2,000 to donate to charity.

"The Great American Can Roundup recycling contest continues to be a great opportunity for our industry to show our local communities how easy it is to recycle and the inherent value in aluminum," said Claude Marbach, president and CEO, Rexam Beverage Can North America. "It is our pleasure to team with fellow can-makers, suppliers and local charities to set a positive example in the communities we do business in."

Second place honors go to Ball Corporation's Findlay plant in Ohio. This plant recycled 38,364 pounds of aluminum beverage cans, equating to more than $17,400 raised plus the $1,000 prize money, all for donation to a charity of their choice.

Ball Corporation's Rome plant in Georgia took third place by recycling 10,199 pounds of aluminum beverage cans and raising more than $4,000 for charity.

"We're proud to be actively involved in this industry initiative to encourage recycling and help increase North American recycling rates," said Kathleen Pitre, vice president of communications and corporate relations at Ball Corporation.

CMI sponsors the GACR Industry Challenge annually to promote awareness around the environmental benefits of recycling aluminum cans. The 2015 Challenge involved more than 40 facilities, including plants and corporate offices. Participating U.S. can manufacturers are Rexam BCNA, Crown Holdings, Inc. and Ball Corporation, as well as the two aluminum supplier companies, Novelis and Alcoa. The facilities partner together with their local schools, charities and other organizations to spread the recycling message and give back to their community.

"This industry contest provides an opportunity for can manufacturers and suppliers to show they are environmental stewards while also raising money for their local charities," said CMI President Robert Budway.