Alcoa Recycling

Alcoa Supports the Illinois Army National Guard Recycling Program

Alcoa announced today that more than 50 U.S. Army National Guard facilities in Illinois, through support from the Illinois Recycling Association, will enhance their recycling programs by using recycling bins donated by Alcoa.  More than 1,000 green, 22-gallon bins have been shipped from Alcoa Recycling in Tennessee to the Illinois Army National Guard State Headquarters at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, Illinois, for distribution throughout the State.

Earlier this year Alcoa Recycling and the National Recycling Coalition rolled out a major initiative designed to make recycling more accessible to people across the country.  Working with the state affiliates of the NRC, Alcoa has delivered approximately 25,000 recycling bins for placement in a variety of settings where bins had not previously been available, such as schools, government and office buildings, and low-income communities. 

View the full press release on this story for more complete details. 

Alcoa Represented on Knox County's Master Recycler Task Force

The Knox County (TN) Department of Solid Waste has created the Master Recycler Task Force to create a recycling certification program, which they anticipate launching in late 2009. 

There is significant interest in recycling in Knox County.  In 2008, recycling in Knox County grew by more than 15%.  Last year, the Solid Waste Department collected roughly 4,000 tons of recycled materials, which resulted in a savings for the County of $90,000 from diverted landfill expenses.

With this growing interest, there is an on-going need for more people who have in-depth knowledge about the complete recycling process, including contamination and disposal issues.  The program will create some local experts with knowledge about our particular recycling situation and the market realities here in Knox County.  These local experts can help educate our citizens and promote recycling.

Members from the follow organizations have agreed to be initial members on the Master Recycler Task Force:

• Knox County Solid Waste
• UT Extension Knox County
• Ijams Nature Center
• City of Knoxville
• Rock-Tenn
• University of Tennessee Environmental Coordinator
• SP Newsprint
• Keep Knoxville Beautiful
• Knoxville Recycling Coalition
• Alcoa, Inc.

View the County's full press release on this story.   

Testimonials about Alcoa/NRC Recycling Bin Program

Since our recycling bin program with the National Recycling Coalition kicked off in February, we have been busy arranging shipments of recycling bins to different parts of the country.  So far, about 25,000 recycling bins have made their way to about 20 different states.  Here are a few testimonials about how the bins have been received:


"Your bins will be essential to allowing us to expand our program and comply fully with Federal and State regulatory guidance concerning solid waste management and recycling." - Environmental Specialist at Illinois Army National Guard in Springfield, Illinois.


"New Mexico greatly benefited from this donation," said Deputy Director of New Mexico Recycling Coalition.  This photo shows a City of Albuquerque solid waste employee unloading some recycling bins destined for use within low income schools. 

Today's Aluminum Pricing Information

Based on today’s London Metal Exchange market, the retail price for used beverage cans is around $.33 per pound.  The day’s wholesale price for mills is around $.48 per pound.  The retail price refers to the amount charged to store customers, such as at a scrap metal buy-back center.  The wholesale price describes the amount paid by large sheet mills buying large quantities of used beverage cans. 

Disclaimer:
* Wholesale Prices shown are indicative prices only, and are not an offer to buy from Alcoa or its representatives.
* Prices are for used aluminum beverage cans in bales or briquettes in truckload lots delivered to aluminum sheet mills in the USA.
* Quality specifications are subject to the unique requirements of each mill.
* Retail Prices are indicative prices only, and are not an offer to buy from Alcoa or its representatives.
* Prices are for loose or flattened used aluminum beverages cans delivered to local scrap buyers.
* Quality and prices will vary by region and sellers are advised to consult with local scrap buyers for specific market conditions.

Aluminum Can Reclamation - April 2009

Based on Aluminum Association surveys, used beverage can reclamation totaled 105.1 million pounds during April 2009, a decrease of 9.2 percent from the April 2008 total of 115.8 million pounds.  Compared to the previous month, can reclamation declined 7.4 percent from the March 2009 total of 113.5 million pounds.  Year-to-date reclamation for 2009 totaled 417.4 million pounds, off 13.9 percent from the 2008 year-to-date total of 484.8 million pounds.  

Starbucks Aims to Make Their Disposable Cups More Recyclable and Reduce Waste

Starbucks is hearing the requests of their customers who are concerned about the environmental impact of the company's disposable paper and plastic cups. 

The company is aiming to make 100% of their cups reusable or recyclable by 2015.  They intend to reduce overall in-store paper and plastic cup usage by 25% through encouraging customers to use reusable mugs.  They also plan to have recycling available inside of their stores. 

Check out Starbuck's website for more information about this goal. 

Mrs. Rogers' Class at Carpenter's Elementary in Blount County, TN Leads School to Recycle

Alcoa Recycling visited Mrs. Rogers' 4th grade class today at Carpenter's Elementary School in Blount County, Tennessee.  The class is comprised of over 20 students who were all eager to learn more about recycling and ways they can make their school become greener.  Mrs. Rogers and her students already organize and manage much of the school's current recycling efforts.  With the donation of recycling bins from Alcoa, they plan to put the bins in more class rooms to make recycling even more convenient for everyone at the school. 

The students asked many great questions and their zeal for recycling was apparent.  These students are great examples to others in how to lead a school to recycle! 

The photos here show Mrs. Rogers' class with their new Alcoa Recycling bins.  The other photo is of a bulletin board that the class created to increase the school's awareness about the importance of recycling!  Way to go Mrs. Rogers' class!

Alcoa's Warrick Facility Holds Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Day, Distributes Recycling Bins

Alcoa's Warrick Operations hosted their annual Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Day on Saturday, May 9.  The event provided a green alternative to the Warrick County community and Alcoa employees.  A record 961 vehicles visited the plant site, bringing everything from old paint to outdated computers.  The first 500 vehicles received free Alcoa recycling bins, donated from Alcoa Recycling. The majority of the materials collected at this event will be recycled or reused. 

Today's Aluminum Pricing Information

Based on today’s London Metal Exchange market, the retail price for used beverage cans is around $.36 per pound.  The day’s wholesale price for mills is around $.51 per pound.  The retail price refers to the amount charged to store customers, such as at a scrap metal buy-back center.  The wholesale price describes the amount paid by large sheet mills buying large quantities of used beverage cans. 

Disclaimer:
* Wholesale Prices shown are indicative prices only, and are not an offer to buy from Alcoa or its representatives.
* Prices are for used aluminum beverage cans in bales or briquettes in truckload lots delivered to aluminum sheet mills in the USA.
* Quality specifications are subject to the unique requirements of each mill.
* Retail Prices are indicative prices only, and are not an offer to buy from Alcoa or its representatives.
* Prices are for loose or flattened used aluminum beverages cans delivered to local scrap buyers.
* Quality and prices will vary by region and sellers are advised to consult with local scrap buyers for specific market conditions.

Rio Rancho, NM Receives Alcoa/NRC Recycling Bins

At the beginning of May, Rio Rancho, a town north of Albuquerque, New Mexico, received their allotment of recycling bins from the National Recycling Coalition and Alcoa recycling bin program.  About 25,000 bins have been distributed across the country as part of this program to increase recycling rates and make recycling more convenient for people. 

New Mexico Recycling Coalition received 1,250 recycling bins to distribute around their state.  Of this allotment, Rio Rancho received 84 bins to place in a variety of settings, many of which have never had recycling. 

Santo Domingo tribe also received 84 recycling bins to use at various locations for their tribe. 

Check out the article on this story in The Observer.