BELLINGHAM, Wash., Oct. 20, 2026. Elementary students across the country
are back on the hunt for aluminum cans. The Million Cans Recycling Contest,
which began Oct. 1 and runs through April 30, 2027, teaches children one
lesson meant to last a lifetime: never throw an aluminum can in the trash.
Along the way, students learn that recycling aluminum protects wildlife,
conserves energy, strengthens local communities, and supports American
manufacturing jobs.

The contest started in 2023 with just eight schools, five of which are still
competing: Yankeetown Elementary (Ind.), Lewisburg Elementary (Ky.), Rich
Pond Elementary (Ky.), Our Mother of Perpetual Help School (Pa.) and La Vega
Elementary (Texas).

In the last three years, students have worked together and recycled more
than 6.5 million cans, keeping more than 188,000 pounds of aluminum out of
landfills. This year, 49 schools are returning, and 23 new schools are joining in
with the goal of recycling at least 4 million cans.

Kids kick things off by reading The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans, then take
the pledge to never throw another can in the trash. All year long, students
take turns wearing the Million Cans superhero capes when bringing cans to
the recycling bin.

Teaching kids why recycling matters is where a circular economy starts,
according to Jessica Leary, executive director of The Ball Foundation.
“The Million Cans Recycling Contest gives students a hands-on way to see that
cycle for themselves," Leary said. “By building those habits early, we’re helping
raise a generation that sees aluminum not as waste, but as a resource worth
keeping in circulation."

Schools keep every dollar from the cans they recycle, plus any prize money
they win. Last year, Fairplain Elementary in West Virginia used its can money
to buy a new playground. It was the school’s second year in a row recycling
the most cans per student, making it a two-time winner of the Million Cans
contest. This year, Fairplain is paying it forward, donating its cans to help its
former vice principal, Andrew Hupp, build a playground at his new school,
Gilmore Elementary.

Principal Andrew Hupp told The Jackson Star & Herald at the start of the
contest that “the very best part [has been] having people and businesses
reach out to show their support … our bin at the school is half full already. Our
staff, kids, and parents are so positive about this can contest."

The Million Cans contest is made possible through the generous donations
and support of several partners. Local scrapyards and metal recyclers supply
can collection bins to schools, pick them up once full, and pay schools for
every pound of aluminum. Local businesses and families drop off cans to
provide extra funds for their school. Industry leaders like The Ball Foundation,
Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) members, Constellium, and Nucor, along
with sustainability partners nationwide, fund the books, superhero capes,
prizes, and celebrations that keep students excited all year long.

“The Million Cans Recycling Contest is a great way to help students see how
small actions can make a big impact," said Roxi Sharif, director of sustainability
at CMI. “By collecting and recycling used aluminum beverage cans, students
are learning valuable lessons about a circular economy while making a real
difference in their communities. CMI members are proud to sponsor the
contest once again and volunteer with local schools. We’re excited to see
what these young recyclers accomplish in the school year ahead."

That’s the golden formula at work: books for education, scrapyard bins for
convenience, a nationwide contest for competition, and can money and prizes
for incentives. Together, they add up to higher recycling rates and more cans
kept out of landfills.

With more than six months of collecting ahead, there will be plenty more
stories like Gilmore’s, so follow along on social media at #MillionCans. To learn
more, visit recyclingsociety.org.

Companies that want to support a school in their own community can contact
jess@recyclingsociety.org.

About The Recycling Society: The Recycling Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
founded on Earth Day 2025 to teach children that all metal has value and can
be recycled. Through storybooks, school contests, and local partnerships with
scrapyards, it is raising the next generation of recycling superheroes. See its
three-year impact at recyclingsociety.org/impact.

Media contact: Jessica Alexanderson, Executive Director |
jess@recyclingsociety.org | 425.440.1701
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