Through the America Recycles Day Challenge competition, the aluminum beverage can industry collected and recycled approximately 140 million cans and raised more than $150,000 for charities across the country, the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) has announced.
The contest took place over 76 days and involved 55 facilities, including plants and corporate offices of aluminum companies Alcoa Inc., Arco Aluminum and Novelis, and can manufacturers Ball Corp., Metal Container Corp. and Rexam. The individual facilities partnered with schools and local organizations to collect and recycle used beverage cans.
Proceeds from the effort will benefit Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Toys for Tots and other charities throughout the U.S.
The annual America Recycles Day Challenge was launched in 2003 with a goal of raising recycling awareness and giving back to local communities. Since the program's inception, more than 290 million cans have been recycled.