Rexam wins Can Recycling Challenge

Rexam's Beverage Can North America’s (BCNA) Chicago location has received first place in the Great American Can RoundUp (GACR) Industry Challenge. The contest was sponsored by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). The contest winners are determined by the number of pounds of aluminum collected per employee.

The GACR Industry Challenge runs for nine months and involves 51 facilities. Participating U.S. can manufacturers are Rexam BCNA, Crown Holdings Inc. and Ball Corp., as well as the two aluminum supplier companies, Novelis and Alcoa.

Rexam’s Chicago site was lauded for recycling more than 78,000 pounds of aluminum cans, which equates to more than 2.7 million beverage cans.

In total, the GACR Industry Challenge collected and recycled 217,350 pounds of used aluminum beverage cans, raising more than $179,400 for local charities.

Coming in second place in the challenge was Rexam’s Whitehouse, Ohio, plant, which collected 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," says 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.”

Third place in the challenge went to Ball Corp.’s Findlay, Ohio, facility, which recycled 35,323 pounds of cans, 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,” says Jim Peterson, vice president of corporate affairs at Ball Corp. “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.”