The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and Recycling Society announced the start of the Million Cans Recycling Contest. This contest is an exciting partnership with more than 50schools to engage students in recycling empty aluminum beverage cans across America. The competition, which runs through April 30, 2026, will inspire environmental awareness, hands-on learning, teamwork, and community engagement with young learners.
鈥淭his nationwide contest pairs elementary schools with our U.S. can manufacturer and supplier members, so that students can learn about the circularity of aluminum beverage cans and directly contribute to more used beverage cans becoming new cans,鈥� said CMI President Scott Breen. 鈥淩ecycling aluminum beverage cans comes with significant environmental and economic benefits. We are excited to join the Million Cans Recycling Contest for the third consecutive year and look forward to surpassing last year鈥檚 record of more than 1.6 million beverage cans collected for recycling.鈥�
CMI鈥檚 aluminum beverage can manufacturers and suppliers are stepping up to support schools in states across the nation, including: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia.
Schools that recycle used beverage cans will keep 100% of the proceeds from the sale of collected cans to local scrap yards, turning cans into cash to fund school programs, resources, and infrastructure needs. Aluminum beverage cans are one of the most valuable and recyclable commodities, and scrap aluminum is paid at a market rate by the pound at hundreds of scrap yards across the country.
“Collaboration across the entire value chain is key to a successful Million Cans Recycling Contest,鈥� said Recycling Society Board Member Jenny Wassenaar. 鈥淭hrough partnerships between Can Manufacturers Institute and the聽Recycling Society, many students will be empowered to become recycling heroes and earn valuable resources for their schools. This creates a foundation for long-term environmental focus and demonstrates how sustainability actions can benefit the community. I am excited to follow the groundbreaking results this year.”
Every elementary school student participating in the contest within selected grades, will also receive a free copy of聽The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans, a children鈥檚 book that first inspired the recycling contest three years ago. 鈥淟ike the character in our book 鈥� Ellie, The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans 鈥� I can鈥檛 wait to see how many beverage聽cans our amazing recycling superheroes collect this year,鈥� said Recycling Society Executive Director Jessica Alexanderson. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so much fun teaching kids that recycling helps protect our oceans and planet. Our students also make a lifelong pledge to never toss a can in the trash, and I hope that promise sticks with them. I’m excited to welcome in new schools and states this year as we grow with the support of some amazing partners and sponsors.鈥�