Cans for Cash Launches Oct. 1
The sixth annual Cans for Cash challenge calls on U.S. cities to collect the most aluminum cans to win one of four $5,000 prizes. Officially launching on Oct. 1, 50 cities have already signed up.
This year’s competition will also feature prizes for innovative ideas that promote aluminum recycling, as well as a prize for best aluminum can recycling video. In all, $70,000 in prize money is up for grabs.
More than 50 percent of the aluminum cans produced are recycled. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com
Cities must calculate the weight of cans recycled and must be separated from other recyclables.
This is done at a materials recovery facility, so the aluminum can be shipped off for reprocessing. The material is often weighed to determine the amount of money the program will receive for recycling.
The Cans for Cash challenge is a partnership between the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Novelis Corporation and Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
While awards are based on total amount recycled, there are four divisions for cities, separated by population. This allows for smaller cities to be competitive, similar to the Recyclemania competition for colleges.
In 2008, Milwaukee, Wis. came in first place with more than 1.75 million pounds. In total, last year’s competition collected and recycled more than 115 million aluminum cans, down from 190 million collected in 2007.
Cities have until Sept. 31 to sign up for Cans for Cash, and there is no entry fee. You can check out the newest cities to enter the competition on the campaign’s Twitter page.
As of June 17th 2011 we have upgraded our comment system to use Facebook comments. The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Julie Amerman
posted on September 26th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Hey There, Trey,
I’ve been living in Dallas, TX for ’bout 5 years now with my Husband. I’m an avid recycler from LA, CA. Almost Everybody there recycles there, at least they did then. They have places there where you can get cash for cans, glass bottles, & plastic bottles. Not much, like you don’t get rich doing this. But you at least get paid something for your conscious effort to help clean up the earth. I use to be a “dumpster diver” for cans & bottles when I was in college in LA. I guess once you get the “Recycling Fever” you never get rid of it.
I’m glad to become aware of the “Cash for Cans” program here. We’re the only ones on our whole block who’ve gotten a recycling bin in our alley. I’m not saying “Gee Look At Me.” I’m saying people should be more aware of what’s happening to the Earth we live on & help in our own small but important ways to help clean it up. The small amount for the cans here isn’t phenominal, but it’s just enough to make it worthwhile to help.
Thanks For Your Time Listening,
Julie Amerman
nancy Hansen
posted on April 5th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Our REYNOLDS aluminum cash for cans semi just closed up and the 800 number is disconnected. I cannot find another. I have three huge bags. I am in the SW Suburban Chicago area. 60440. Can someone help me?