School kids demonstrated a “can-do” attitude in this season’s Aluminum Can Recycling National School Challenge. 133 schools, representing more than 70,000 students, joined with aluminum suppliers and beverage can manufacturers in the competition. Collectively, over the 12-week period they raised over $53,000 and recycled more than 48,094 pounds of used aluminum beverage cans.
The top three schools collecting the most cans per student were awarded a $250 prize on Earth Day by the Aluminum Can Council. The winning schools are:
- First place – Twin Lakes High School in Monticello, Indiana: The school partnered with businesses in the community to recycle 7,092 pounds of aluminum beverage cans, or 9.8 pounds per student. They raised $3,556, which funded the band’s new uniforms.
- Second place – Collins Intermediate School in Conroe, Texas: This school worked to recycle 3,845 pounds of aluminum, or 7.44 pounds per student, and raise $2,832 for the school’s Parent Teacher Organization.
- Third place – The Academy of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in St. Louis, Missouri recycled 6.7 pounds of used aluminum beverage cans per student.
Almost half of the participating schools have elected to incorporate beverage can recycling as a year-round activity and we encourage others to follow their lead in creating a sustainable future.
“In the spirit of Earth Day, we are celebrating the outstanding recycling achievements by these students and the lessons about environmental awareness and action that will last a lifetime,” said Robert Budway, President of the Can Manufacturers Institute.
The ACC’s National School Challenge is a friendly, intra-industry contest where beverage can manufacturers Ball Corporation, Metal Container Corporation and Rexam and aluminum suppliers Alcoa Inc., Arco Aluminum and Novelis Inc. partner with schools to see which facility/school team can recycle the most aluminum cans per student.