Alcoa Recycling

Colleges compete in GameDay Challenge

College football is known for its intense rivalries on the playing field.  Now, that competition is spilling over into trash cans and recycling bins as part of the EPA's WasteWise College GameDay Challenge. 

This month, 87 colleges across the country are competing to see who can do the best job of reducing waste and collecting recyclables at a college football game. Participating schools include four of the Top 10-ranked football programs in the country, including Auburn, Alabama, Missouri and Ohio State.  

Schools typically collect aluminum cans and other recyclable materials in tailgating lots around the stadium and through stadium cleanup efforts. 

The matchup today between the University of Texas and Baylor is part of the GameDay challenge. The Texas recycling effort, known as the Longhorn Recycling Roundup, has already collected 420 pounds of aluminum cans in tailgate lots this year.

Awards will be given out in several categories, including recycling.  Harvard University won the award last year for most recycling per person. The EPA will announce winning schools in November.

Recycling aluminum cans? There’s an app for that

Alcoa has launched a new iPhone app that helps consumers find recycling centers, track how many aluminum cans they recycle, and calculate the cash they can earn as they help protect the environment through recycling aluminum cans. The free app is called Aluminate and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store.

“This app is the most comprehensive available for anyone who wants to recycle aluminum cans. It’s a cool way to keep track of the cans you recycle and the cash you’re earning while you take positive steps to protect the environment,” said Beth Schmitt, Director of Recycling for Alcoa. “It’s great for organizations that want to create a recycling campaign and to encourage others to join their efforts.” 

The app has several unique features, including the ability to calculate how much cash you can earn based on the amount of aluminum cans (used beverage, food and pet food cans) recycled.  It also allows you to keep track of individual and team recycling efforts and watch videos about how recycling aluminum can save energy and protect the environment.

Montreal Residents Embrace Recycling

Nearly 20 years after introducing a pilot recycling program, Montreal residents have fully embraced recycling.  The city has a curbside collection program that brought in more than 153,000 tons of recyclable materials in 2008.  Recycling rates have climbed over the years, with some neighborhoods now recycling more than 65% of recyclable materials.

The successful recycling program has led Montreal to introduce larger recycling bins on wheels to 245,000 households.  The city began rolling out the new bins earlier this year. 

 

Curbside Recycling Comes to St. Petersburg

The wait is over. So declared the St. Petersburg Times this week when announcing that St. Petersburg, Florida is launching a curbside recycling program today. The recycling program is expected to be very popular.  

Although the voluntary program has not been widely advertised, more than 800 St. Petersburg residents have already signed up.

Congratulations and good luck to St. Petersburg on its new curbside recycling program!