Rexam's Beverage
Can North America (BCNA) Chicago office received first place in the Great
American Can RoundUp (GACR) Industry Challenge by recycling more than 78,000
pounds of aluminum cans, which equates to more than 2.7 million beverage
cans.
The GACR Industry
Challenge, sponsored by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), collected and
recycled 217,350 pounds of beverage cans, raising more than $179,400 for local
charities across the United States.
Rexam's corporate
headquarters recycling efforts raised more than $45,300 for various local
charities. As the winner of the challenge, the facility receives an additional
$2,000 to donate to charity.
The Whitehouse,
OH, Rexam plant took the second place spot, receiving an additional $1,000 to
donate to their charity of choice on top of the more than $10,000 raised by
collecting and recycling more than 14,600 pounds of aluminum cans.
"We're proud
to align with the can-making industry to show how easy it is to recycle and
take strong steps to support the community and the environment," said Rich
Grimley, president and CEO, Rexam BCNA. "I'm proud of our Rexam teams for
once again setting a favorable example in our communities, and utilizing the
product we make to demonstrate the inherent value of recycling while supporting
local charities."
Ball Corporation's
Findlay, OH, facility came in third place by recycling 35,323 pounds of cans and
raising more than $24,700 for charity.
"Beverage
cans have significant benefits and, thanks to their infinite recyclability, are
the most recycled beverage packaging around the world," said Jim Peterson,
vice president of corporate affairs at Ball Corporation. "As part of our
ongoing global sustainability initiatives, we're proud to be a part of the
metal packaging industry's efforts to promote recycling while raising money to
make our local communities better places for all to live and work."
CMI sponsors the
GACR Industry Challenge annually to promote awareness around the environmental
benefits of recycling aluminum cans. The nine month competition involved 51
facilities, including plants and corporate offices. Participating U.S. can
manufacturers are Rexam BCNA, Crown Holdings, Inc. and Ball Corporation, as
well as the two aluminum supplier companies, Novelis and Alcoa. The plant
facilities partner together with their local schools, charities and other
organizations to spread the recycling message and give back to their community.
Proceeds from the Industry Challenge will benefit a variety of charities,
including but not limited to, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, Toys
for Tots and St. Jude Research Center.
"This
challenge is an excellent platform for our members to come together and be
great environmental stewards by recycling the same product they produce,"
said CMI President Robert Budway. "Aluminum is a highly valued commodity
that greatly benefits from the economically and energy efficient process of
recycling. Can manufacturers provide
customers and consumers with the beverage package with the highest recycling
rate. Through this competition, can manufacturers and aluminum suppliers are
able to raise awareness about the environmental benefits of this great package,
while also raising money for local charities around the country."
Since its
inception, the GACR Industry Challenge has recycled 6.82 million pounds of
aluminum cans, equating to nearly $5 million raised for charities around the
country.
CMI also sponsors
other competitions under the GACR umbrella in order to promote and engage
recycling within various communities around the country. Raising environmental awareness about the
importance of recycling cans is one of CMI's main initiatives. For more
information about the Great American Can RoundUp, visit
www.cancentral.com/roundup.
Can Manufacturers
Institute (CMI) CMI is the national trade association of the metal can
manufacturing industry and its suppliers in the United States. The can industry
accounts for the annual domestic production of approximately 124 billion food,
beverage and other metal cans; which employs more than 28,000 people with
plants in 33 states, Puerto Rico and American Samoa; and generates about $17.8
billion in direct economic activity. Our members are committed to providing
safe, nutritious and refreshing canned food and beverages to consumers.
