The Million Cans Recycling Contest

More Schools. More Prizes. More Cans Recycled!

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!

$

1st Place

$

2nd Place

$

3rd Place

$4,000

Regional Prizes: 4 schools win $1,000 each—one winner per region.

$500

State Prize: Top school wins in states with 3+ schools.

$1,000

Most Valuable Recycler Award for 1 school

🍦 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! 💚

🎉 75,000 Can Pizza Party! 🍕♻️

Our 3rd grade can recycling superheroes have been working hard to make a difference, one can at a time. When our school hits 75,000 cans recycled, we’re throwing a pizza party to celebrate their dedication and teamwork!

Let’s keep saving those cans and show our 3rd graders how much we appreciate their efforts to protect the planet. 🌍💪

Every can counts—let’s make it happen!

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!

Recycling is like Magic teaches kids that ALL metal can be recycled and has value at local scrapyards. Let’s save the planet one can at a time! 🌎♻️🌟

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