Alcoa to Provide Recycling Bins Throughout U.S.
PITTSBURGH--Alcoa today announced that it will provide 50,000 recycling bins to organizations and communities throughout the U.S. as part of its 2010 Recycling Bin Program.
“This bin distribution program is just one way that we’re trying to make it easier for people to recycle.”
“Alcoa and the Aluminum Association have a goal of increasing the recycling rates of aluminum beverage cans in the U.S. from the current 54% to 75% by the year 2015,” said Greg Wittbecker, Alcoa Director of Recycling. “This bin distribution program is just one way that we’re trying to make it easier for people to recycle.”
As it has done for the past two years, Alcoa is partnering with state recycling organizations to establish individual allocations based upon locally-identified needs. Interested individuals or groups should contact their state recycling organizations or state agencies of environmental protection for more details. States that will receive bin allocations in 2010 include:
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Recycling aluminum cans provides benefits to the environment because it saves valuable landfill space, and the cans are infinitely recyclable. They can be used, recycled, and back on the store shelf as a new beverage can in less than 60 days. And, it takes 95% less energy to make a can from recycled aluminum, then from raw materials. Aluminum is also the most valuable material in the recycling bin. Although by weight it is less than 2% of the USA’s recycled stream, aluminum generates 40% of the revenue to sustain all recycling programs.
“If we could get each American to recycle just one more can per week over what they already do, we could reach our 75% recycling goal,” said Wittbecker.
Alcoa Recycling first started providing bins in 2008 and has given bins to municipalities, colleges, Native American tribes, and community-based organizations in 19 states.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world leader in the production and management of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina combined, through its active and growing participation in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoaź wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems. The Company has been named one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for eight consecutive years. Alcoa employs approximately 60,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.