Cans for Cash Recycling Challenge Launched

The U.S. Conference of Mayors, Novelis Inc., and Keep America Beautiful, Inc., are sponsoring the fourth annual "Cans for Cash - City Recycling Challenge," a national contest that rewards cities for recycling used aluminum beverage cans.

"Building a sustainable environment for your community" is the theme of this year's Cans for Cash - City Recycling Challenge campaign. The 2007 campaign promotes how local action to recycle will help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

"As outlined in the 10-Point Plan, cities are encouraged to implement programs to improve energy efficiency and reduce community carbon emissions. The goals of the Recycling Challenge complement this effort and demonstrate how the simple act of recycling aluminum can positively impact our environment," said Douglas Palmer, mayor of Trenton, NJ and president of the USCM.

This year's City Recycling Challenge will last four weeks, starting on October 1 and ending on October 30, 2007, with 12 $5,000 grants awarded to municipalities and four $2,500 grants awarded to KAB affiliates.

"Novelis is proud to be an original sponsor of the Cans for Cash - City Recycling Challenge. Now in its fourth year, the program continues to help promote the environmental and economic benefits of aluminum can recycling," says Kevin Greenawalt, president of Novelis North America. "The success of the program is really seen in previous winning cities. They have used their awards to bolster and expand their recycling programs successfully."

Registration for the City Recycling Challenge is from May 1 to September 28. There is no entry fee. Entrants will compete against like-sized cities. Each city will have three opportunities to win within its division. Winners will be awarded for the most cans collected, the most innovative ideas to promote the recycling of aluminum beverage cans, and for partnering with a local KAB affiliate to encourage innovative and sustainable recycling initiatives.

For registration information, visit www.usmayors.org/mwma or contact Susan Jarvis, the U.S. Conference of Mayors at 202-861-6760.