📅 Contest Timeline

The Million Cans Recycling Contest runs every year from October to April, with a special focus on schools in the lowest recycling states.

Meet the schools

Schools across the U.S. will compete to recycle the most aluminum cans.

🚨 Calling All Elementary Schools in WV, TN, OH, GA, & MS!

We’re looking to add:

📍 2 schools in West Virginia
📍 3 schools in Tennessee
📍 3 schools in Ohio
📍 3 schools in Georgia
📍 2 schools in Mississippi

Especially in areas without curbside recycling!

Join the Million Cans Recycling Contest — it’s completely FREE to participate. Your students will have fun, raise money for their school, and learn the power of recycling aluminum cans. 💰📚🌎

📧 Interested? Reach out to Jess at Jess@ScrapUniversity.com

🚀 How It Works

Scrapyard Delivery: Local scrapyards drop off large bins at school parking lots.
Take the Pledge: Students commit to recycling and share the message with others.
Read & Inspire: Every 3rd grader receives a copy of The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans, reads it to the school, then brings it home to share with family and friends.
Fill 'Em Up: Students and the community fill them with empty aluminum cans.
Celebrate & Learn: Schools keep the money from their cans, learn about sustainability, and have a blast doing it!

States

Schools

Books

About the Contest

We connect elementary schools with local scrapyards across the USA to promote aluminum can recycling in a fun and engaging way. It’s a win-win: schools earn money from recycling cans, and producing a can from recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy. Plus, aluminum is 100% recyclable—forever! Recycling cans is one of the simplest ways to help our planet.

♻️🥫=💰

70 Aluminum Cans = $1

35 Aluminum cans per pound
Earn $0.50 per pound

Did you know? Currently, the U.S. recycles only 45% of aluminum cans—we CAN do better!

📚 FREE books for every 3rd grader!

Every participating 3rd grader will receive a free copy of our recycling-themed book to inspire and educate the next generation of environmental heroes!

🌎 3.5 million cans recycled over the past 2 years!

More Schools. More Prizes. More Cans!

Top schools will win cash prizes and bragging rights — plus, the more cans you recycle, the more money your school earns. Every can counts toward the contest and your school's fundraising!

4 Regional winners $1,000 Each

Top school in states with 3+ schools

Most Valuable Recycler Award for 1 school

Cans Pizza Party

Cans $500 Bonus

All 3rd graders at 50 schools get free books

1st Place

2nd Place

3rd Place

♻️ Million Cans Recycling Contest

Join schools across the USA in a nationwide challenge to recycle millions of aluminum cans! Schools are ranked by the number of cans collected per student, and student leaders help drive the effort. 🏆 Can your school win the grand prize? Best of all — schools keep 100% of the money from the cans they recycle. It’s fun, it’s educational, and it’s a win-win for your school and the planet!

Join the contest for free (non-deposit states only)

🍦 October Ice Cream Party Challenge 🎉

3rd graders — your mission: hit the October can goal and celebrate with an ice cream party in November!

School Size	# of 3rd Grade Students	3rd Grade Can Goal (October)
Small School	0–25 students	1,000 cans
Medium School	26–100 students	2,000 cans
Large School	100+ students	3,000 cans

💥 Make it fun. Make it count. Collect cans and earn a sweet reward! ♻️🍨

♻️ MVR: Most Valuable Recycler Award 🏆

Not every award is about collecting the most cans — sometimes, it's about being the most creative, enthusiastic, and inspiring recyclers in the game!

The MVR (Most Valuable Recycler) award is a special $1,000 prize given to one lucky school that goes above and beyond in promoting recycling and community engagement.

In April, schools can submit a short letter telling us why they think they should win the MVR award. Our Recycling Society team will vote and choose the winner based on creativity, impact, and heart!

🎒 Think Outside the Bin: Start fun can collection days, school-wide challenges, or theme weeks!
🏪 Engage the Community: Partner with local businesses or community groups to boost your can count and spread awareness.
📚 Educate & Inspire: Integrate recycling into class activities or lessons using books, science, and art.
🎨 Get Creative: From recycling-themed posters and songs to school-wide assemblies—there's no limit to your imagination!

Let your creativity shine—and win a $1,000 prize for your school while making recycling magical! 💚

Recycling Partners & Scrapyards

🌱 More Than a Contest

This initiative helps change habits—students learn to never throw a can in the trash. They become advocates, educating others and showing how local scrapyards pay for cans.

Our book, The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans, inspires students to collect and recycle, turning everyday actions into meaningful impact.

Past Contest Highlights & Results

Take a look at standout moments from past contests — see how schools across the country turned cans into cash, competed for top honors, and made a big impact through recycling!

1,374,100 Cans

Million Cans Recycling Contest

Nov 2023 - May 2024

1,666,210 Cans

2 Million Cans Recycling Contest

Oct 2024 - April 2025

476,385 Cans

Ball's Can-Do Recycling Challenge

Oct 2024 - April 2025

States

Schools

Books Distributed

Cans Recycled

What schools are saying

We LOVE our AMAZING readers and recyclers!

"On behalf of La Vega Elementary, I want to express how truly grateful we are that Jessica, at Recycling is like Magic! (Scrap University Kids) in Bellevue, Washington, found and selected our school to represent all of Texas! We have had the best time working together on this amazing project all year. Yes, it is sticky, stinky, messy, and cumbersome, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Our school district united, we met new friends in the business community, and we hope to continue with our pledge to "never throw away another can again."

Jessica, you have had a tremendous impact in your first year. I cannot wait to read your next books, follow, and support you." - Ms Laura Klander

La Vega Elementary

Texas

In a community where recycling isn't usually top of mind, this contest opened our students' and neighbors' eyes to how simple and impactful it can be. Our students had a blast—and so did our community! Nearly every day, families and neighbors dropped off bags of cans, sometimes filling every bin we had.
The best part? We raised money for our school through a project that truly mattered.

I originally thought this program would be tremendously difficult, but I was proven wrong—150%! You all made it possible, fun, and completely doable.

On behalf of Southaven Elementary, thank you. This has been an incredible experience for all of us.”
— Latangla Mills-Green

Southaven Elementary

Mississippi

"Our school has really enjoyed participating in The Million Cans Recycling Contest. It was great having our students & community all bring in cans to recycle instead of throwing them in the trash can. Hopefully those will have a lasting impact & everyone remembers how easy & valuable it is to recycle.“ - Ms. Taunya Kirsch
4th grade teacher & Environmental Club sponsor

Yankeetown Elementary

Indiana

Contact

Recycling is like Magic!

114 W Magnolia St
Suite # 400-107
Bellingham, WA 98225

Email: sales@recyclingislikemagic.com

Social Media

Inspiring kids to recycle and protect our planet—one can at a time!

Sponsored by leading organizations driving sustainable
aluminum packaging

Schools across the U.S. will compete to recycle the most aluminum cans.