Rexam Wins Aluminum Can Challenge

The competition challenged all aluminum suppliers and beverage can manufacturers across the nation to collect the most pounds of recycled cans per employee.   

Demonstrating a strong commitment to recycling, more than 15,000 employees from 65 participating facilities in 26 states competed in the challenge.  Proceeds from their efforts were donated to local chapters of charities including Habitat for Humanity, United Way, American Red Cross and Make-a-Wish Foundation. 

“Our industry's participation in the America Recycles Day Aluminum Can Challenge underscores our commitment to the environment," Robert Budway, CMI president, says.  "Not only is this challenge beneficial to the environment, but also to the local charities to which each facility has elected to contribute." 

Named winner of the America Recycles Day Aluminum Can Challenge, the Rexam Beverage Can Americas Fremont, Ohio, can plant worked in conjunction with Burns Recycling to collect 33,542 pounds of aluminum beverage cans.  Their recycling efforts equaled a total employee per capita of 294 pounds and a monetary donation of $5,500 to the Sandusky County Habitat for Humanity. 

"We are very proud of our Fremont facility for demonstrating the kind of local community leadership we strive to achieve, showing how business and community can come together to increase recycling and improve the environment," Harry Barto, president and CEO, Rexam BCNA, says.  "The Sandusky County Habitat for Humanity is a worthwhile charity that enriches the lives of those in our community and we're thrilled to be able to help them in any way." 

Second place honors were awarded to the Rexam plant in Whitehouse, Ohio, for recycling a total of 5,347 pounds of aluminum beverage cans.  Rexam's Whitehouse facility narrowly edged the third place winners from Crown Cork & Seal's Winter Garden can plant.  The Winter Garden facility was only eight beverage cans per employee behind the Whitehouse plant, recycling a total of 3,940 pounds of aluminum. 

The Novelis Corporations' Berea, Ky., plant  received a $500 charity check from CMI for recycling the most aluminum cans per capita.  Its 2004 aluminum can recycling proceeds combined with contest earnings including an in-house Novelis recycling competition and matching fun campaign netted $14,345 for their selected Garrand County Habitat for Humanity. 

The Aluminum Can Council represents a partnership between aluminum beverage can makers and aluminum sheet suppliers and is committed to ensuring that all aluminum cans are recycled.