Every Can Counts U.S. and Replenysh announced the launch of a new community-driven recycling programme to increase recovery of aluminium beverage cans.

The Cans for Cash programme, which launched in Blytheville, Arkansas, will soon add four more Circularity Centers in Florida, Illinois, and Mississippi. Cans for Cash targets communities near major waterways with limited or no recycling access. The initiative aims to boost recycling, reduce litter and landfill waste, and enhance local economies with direct cash payouts for participants who recycle empty aluminium beverage cans.

“This is an impact-driven program that will increase recycling and access points near major American waterways. This partnership will also make significant investments within local communities that lack curbside recycling,” said Scott Breen, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Can Manufacturers Institute, the trade association behind the Every Can Counts U.S. chapter. 

“Our innovative model leverages the power of technology, community engagement, and the high market value of used aluminium beverage cans to drive impact, including direct payouts for the program’s participants.”

Cans for Cash launched on America Recycles Day as a way to demonstrate how aluminium beverage cans help sustain the U.S. recycling system and promote the circular economy in action. Residents in Blytheville who drop off empty aluminuim beverage cans at the Circularity Center will receive a digital payment of $0.30 per pound for cans. Rates will vary by community and subject to changes based on the market value of scrap aluminium. Additional revenue from the scrap value will go to the city to support local community efforts. 

“The Cans for Cash program is a self-sustaining recycling model and will help fund future recycling efforts. The city of Blytheville is honoured to work with Replenysh and Every Can Counts U.S. on this critical circularity project,” said Blytheville Mayor Melisa Logan. “Activating our recycling potential, igniting a circular economy, and improving recycling behaviour has been a goal of our city for years. This partnership gives our city a strategy that we hope produces big recycling gains for every resident in our community. Our new Cans for Cash Circularity Center will increase consumer awareness and incentivise a recycling model that can be easily replicated in communities across America.”

Replenysh, the circularity platform that implemented the program, will manage Blytheville’s ongoing technology and network operations and track the results of the Cans for Cash Circularity Center using an impact report.

“Many communities today are underserved by recycling and are looking for a solution they can trust. We are excited to be working with Every Can Counts U.S. as the circularity partner to provide much-needed recycling infrastructure to cities and their residents,” said Mark Armen, Founder and CEO at Replenysh. “The City of Blytheville can now leverage our tools and network to monetise materials and drive value to residents in a new way. As we expand these Cans for Cash Circularity Centers to additional states, we also will capture more high-quality feedstock for U.S. industry.”

Globally, aluminuum recycling is 95% less carbon intensive than primary aluminuum production. In addition to empty aluminuum beverage cans, community members can bring PET #1 plastic bottles for recycling, however, payment will only be provided for recycled aluminium.

The Cans for Cash Circularity Center, located at 400 Elm St, Blytheville, AR 72315, is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (CST) with hours subject to change based on operations and volume of collections. To make sure materials are accepted for recycling, participants must:

• Clean, empty, and dry all cans, bottles, and containers. There is no need to remove labels, tabs, or bottle caps. If containers contain fluids, liquid weight will be deducted from the weighted total.
• Separate used aluminium beverage cans from PET #1 plastic bottles. Only used aluminium beverage cans will receive digital payouts.

Blytheville residents who drop off used aluminium beverage cans will receive payment from the Cans for Cash Circularity Center after being weighed on-site. A digital receipt will be emailed to each participant detailing the total amount, with the ability to receive the money in several ways including digital gift card, PayPal, or direct deposit to a bank account. The process eliminates the handling of cash and makes for a safe, secure, and efficient processing experience.