KNOXVILLE, TN – Alcoa volunteers ‘gathered by the river’ in late October to help spread the word about aluminum can recycling before the University of Tennessee vs. South Carolina college football game.
Building on the success of its “Let’s Tackle Recycling” program with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alcoa volunteers talked about the importance of recycling to both tailgaters and “sailgaters” who were part of the storied “Vol Navy.” The University of Tennessee is famous for its fleet of fans who boat up and down the Tennessee River to party before and after college football games. Known as the “Vol Navy,” they are famous for big boats and big parties.
“Cans are the package of choice for boaters. We want people to get in the habit of recycling wherever they’re using cans – at home, or away from home,” said Beth Schmitt, director of recycling programs for Alcoa. “In particular, we know more cans are typically used at special events like tailgate parties or boat outings. Reaching people in this environment is a good way to remind people to separate their beverage cans for recycling no matter where they are.”
Alcoa volunteers gave boaters blue bags for beverage containers used before the game, and take-home bins for future use on the boat or at home. Filled blue bags were collected for recycling just before game time. The collection program was preceded by an informative email blast to members of the Vol Navy Boaters Association, and it supported the University of Tennessee’s “Game Day Recycling Challenge,” sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The aluminum industry saves 95 percent of the energy it takes to make aluminum from raw ore when it uses recycled material. According to Alcoa, this energy value drives the demand for aluminum cans. “We could recycle billions more cans if consumers were in the habit of recycling regularly,” said Schmitt. “We want recycling to be as much a habit as wearing a seatbelt when you get into a car.”
Alcoa Volunteers Walt Brockway, Robin Brockway, Tim Reyes and Paige Rose prepare to distribute blue bags and bins to tailgaters and “sailgaters” among the Vol Navy. The recycling promotion ended Knoxville and Tennessee Operations’ Month of Service with a promotion to encourage increased recycling away from home.
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