From 2014 till today, Crush It Crusade records 1,200+ aluminium cans recycled & reused

Crack open a can, crush it, and change the world. That’s the spirit behind the Crush It Crusade (CIC), a nationwide push turning aluminium recycling into a powerhouse for community transformation.

Crush It Crusade (CIC)

In Longmont (Colorado), the nonprofit Can’d Aid has teamed up with Westminster’s Ball Foundation, the giving arm of Ball Corp., to open the gates for a new wave of recycling heroes. Their joint initiative, the Crush It Crusade (CIC), is more than a grant program - it’s a movement designed to spark community-led recycling revolutions powered by aluminium.

Over the past 11 years, this dynamic duo has already fuelled change across 35 states, investing in more than 120 local organisations, municipalities, parks, and festivals. What was started as a small initiative in 2014 has today taken the shape of a larger recycling program motivating communities towards a sustainable and green environment.

From small towns to big stages, CIC grants have kick-started fresh recycling programs and boosted existing ones with the tools, training, and energy they need to thrive. The application deadline for this is Monday, September 15.

Also Read: No plastic, only aluminium cans – says Fayette County officials

Not just a mission but a celebration of sustainability

Thanks to Crush It Crusade support, major festivals like WinterWonderGrass and Healing Appalachia are proving that great music and sustainable practices can jam in perfect harmony. At its core, CIC is building a nationwide network of everyday change makers who believe in the power of recyclable aluminium to create cleaner, greener communities.

So far, the initiative has touched the lives of over 3.3 million people, equipped 11,500+ individuals with zero-waste skills, and kept 1,200+ tonnes of aluminium in the recycling loop. This fall, the Crush It Crusade will roll out grants worth USD 3,000–USD 8,000 to organisations that -

• Champion recycling at major public events or across a season-long series, from music and cultural gatherings to food and arts festivals
• Show strong volunteer involvement to power the program’s success
• Foster inclusive outreach, ensuring the whole community is engaged
• Demonstrate steady or rising attendance, proving the events are making an impact

Rewriting a story of sustainability

In the end, the Crush It Crusade is proof that recycling isn’t just about cans, it’s about communities. Every aluminium can crushed is a spark, and when those sparks come together, they light up a movement that keeps waste out of landfills and puts purpose back into people’s hands. From local parks to big music festivals, the Crush It Crusade proves that small, everyday choices can create a big shift toward a circular future.

Because when communities rally around aluminium, the metal that never loses its shine, they’re not just recycling. They’re rewriting the story of sustainability with one crushed can at a time.

Get more industry insights from - World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry forecast to 2032