ACBC’s Can Recycling Collections Top 75,000 lbs in 2020

As the world celebrates Earth Day, Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) announces that its can recycling program increased by 40% in 2021.  

“Our collections totaled 75,262 lbs. in 2020, up from 2019 with only 53,655 lbs.,” states ACBC Executive Director Helen Jones-Toms. “And 2021 is off to a great start.”

“More people were forced to work, school and entertain at home due to COVID-19 restrictions,” explains ACBC Executive Director Helen Jones-Toms. “The lockdown made it easier for those households to recycle more of the cans that they usually throw in the trash at their office, cafetaria or local restaurants. Plus, many individuals turned to us when they wanted to recycle after many cities shrank or suspended their programs.

Since approximately 28 to 35 cans equal a pound, ACBC has singlehandedly diverted 2.1 to 2.6 million aluminum cans from local landfills last year alone.  According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, recycling aluminum takes 95% less energy than refining new aluminum or raw bauxite ore. The carbon footprint of recycled aluminum over new material is equally reduced.

ACBC recycles aluminum beverage cans to support its mission to provide physical and emotional rehabilitation of pediatric burn survivors, through programs like Camp Phoenix. It also educates 3,000 area schoolchildren annually on burn prevention by partnering with local fire departments and area school districts. 

This 30-year organization has more than 90 community drop-off sites at fire stations in 58 municipalities across Northeast Ohio. Thanks to a grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, it hopes to open five to ten more sites in the Cuyahoga County this summer.

Ms. Jones-Toms notes, “The simple act of recycling goes a long way to not only save the environment, but help childhood burn survivors and keep our kids safe.”

To find drop-off location nearest you, to make an outright gift or just learn more, visit ACBCOhio.org.