Global Recycling Day event supports Pittsburgh school's recycling efforts

PPG announced a sustainability collaboration on Global Recycling Day, March 18, with Pittsburgh’s Environmental Charter School (ECS) as part of the national 2 Million Cans Recycling Contest. Pittsburgh-based PPG is supporting students in collecting and recycling aluminum beverage cans, with ECS students having collected nearly 42,000 cans to date.

The day started with a pep rally at ECS, where more than 100 second graders will join representatives from PPG, the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), Recycling is Like Magic! and Mon-Valley Recycling Center. It featured educational presentations on aluminum can making and recycling, prize giveaways and special appearances by the Pittsburgh Penguins mascot, Iceburgh, and ECS mascot, Hero the Hawk.

"We are thrilled to support the second graders at ECS who have shown dedication to accomplishing their recycling goals," says Melissa MacDonald, PPG customer sustainability business partner, Packaging Coatings. "Through these critical partnerships, we're proud to inspire hands-on environmental action while promoting the infinite recyclability of aluminum."

The Pittsburgh Penguins also recognized the students and participating organizations at its “Penguins Pledge” sustainability game. The club has committed to donating all aluminum beverage cans and aluminum cups from the March 18 game to ECS to support its recycling goal.

"In 2023, the Penguins launched the Penguins Pledge program with the commitment to improve efforts of social, economic and environmental sustainability,” says Steve Kelley, senior vice president of partnerships with the Pittsburgh Penguins. “We were glad PPG shared the 2 Million Cans initiative with us and gave us the opportunity to support, and we are looking forward to hosting the students at the Penguins Pledge game tonight.”

PPG’s Packaging Coatings business is actively involved in the 2 Million Cans Recycling Contest, a nationwide competition encouraging elementary students to collect aluminum cans for recycling. The initiative brings together elementary schools, scrapyards and aluminum can makers and suppliers to raise awareness about the circular economy of aluminum while providing schools with financial incentives and sustainability education. The campaign continues through April 30, culminating in a May celebration event recognizing top-performing schools in the contest.

According to Recycling is like Magic!, only 26 percent of cans are recycled in Pennsylvania versus 43 percent in the U.S. overall. The contest was inspired by Jessica Alexanderson, president of Recycling is like Magic! and author of "The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans." The contest progress is trackable online and across social media with the hashtag #2MillionCans.  

Sponsored Content

Labor that Works

With 25 years of experience, Leadpoint delivers cost-effective workforce solutions tailored to your needs. We handle the recruiting, hiring, training, and onboarding to deliver stable, productive, and safety-focused teams. Our commitment to safety and quality ensures peace of mind with a reliable workforce that helps you achieve your goals.