Learning Through Stories

Storybooks That Make Recycling Magic

These engaging tales show kids how every recycled can adds up to big change.

Get Inspired to Recycle!

The Recycling Society board selects all educational materials that meet the needs of our educational programs. The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans is the only children's book we are aware of that addresses this issue. It was written by one of our board members who has extensive recycling knowledge.

It’s already inspired students across the U.S. to recycle over 3.5 million aluminum cans—and counting. Schools select one lead grade, and every student in that grade receives a copy to read and then take home to share with friends and family. That simple ritual sparks neighborhood can-hunts, fuels school pride, and builds lifelong recycling habits.

Why it matters: aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and the U.S. currently recycles about 43% of aluminum cans (Aluminum Association). Every can you return stays in the loop—and can be back on a shelf in as little as two months—putting real dollars into schools while protecting our planet.
Award Winning!

The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans

By: Shaziya M. Jaffer, Brad W. Rudover, and Jessica Alexanderson
Illustrated by: Adam Trask

Grand Prize Winner for the Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards 2023 LITTLE PEEPS Award!
 
Meet Ellie, a can-recycling superstar who’s on a mission to save the planet—and maybe buy her very own unicorn! As Ellie gathers her friends to help, young readers will discover how they can help too, one can at a time. They’ll learn fun facts about recycling, earning and saving money, and teaming up to achieve big goals. Can children make a difference? Yes they can!
 

34 pages, Hardcover, softcover, e-book and audio book

Published September 8, 2022

What schools are saying

Book Review


Our second graders really enjoy "The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans." Inspired by the book, they've already recycled over 241,010 cans in Bowling Green, KY.

Rich Pond Elementary
Ms. Jennifer Mackin
© 2024 Recycling Society All rights reserved.