Aluminum beverage can industry raises $133,695 from recycling

The aluminum beverage can industry raised $133,695 for local charities by recycling 178,099 pounds of cans, which equates to more than 5.7 million beverage cans, for the Can Manufacturers Institute's (CMI) Great American Can RoundUp Industry Challenge. Ball Corp. came in first place in the annual competition by recycling nearly 50 percent of the entire amount collected - 88,473 pounds of cans. Rexam and Crown Holdings came in second and third place, respectively.

The Great American Can RoundUp Industry Challenge is sponsored by CMI and held annually to raise awareness for the environmental benefits of recycling cans. The participating American can manufacturers and aluminum suppliers—Rexam, Ball Corporation, Crown Holdings, Novelis and Alcoa—engage their plant facilities to partner with local charities, schools and other organizations to collect and recycle used aluminum beverage cans. Proceeds from the recycled cans are then donated to a charity of the company's choice.

"Cans are the most recycled beverage packaging in the world, and drive the most value in the recycling stream," says Michael Hranicka, president, Ball Metal Beverage Packaging Division, Americas. "Working with local communities to support can recycling is an important part of Ball Corp.'s extensive sustainability efforts, and leverages the infinitely recyclability of metal beverage cans."

Additional Industry challenge winners are based on the pounds recycled per capita by each participating member company facility. The top recycling per capita facilities were Rexam—Executive Office, Chicago, IL; Ball—Findlay, OH; and Rexam—Whitehouse, OH. Together, these facilities raised more than $119,900 for local charities, non-profits and school programs.

"The CMI recycling challenge underscores our industry's dedication to be leading environmental stewards," says CMI President Robert Budway. "The aluminum can's infinite recyclability and high intrinsic value allow our member companies to make significant contributions to local charities across the country. Our industry continues to reinforce to consumers that aluminum can recycling is a great way to do their part for the environment."

CMI also sponsors other competitions under the Great American Can RoundUp umbrella in order to promote and engage recycling within various communities around the country. Raising environmental awareness about the importance of recycling cans is one of CMI's main initiatives. For more information about the Great American Can RoundUp, visit www.cancentral.com/roundup.