Scrap University Kids announces newest book, launches can recycling contest

Scrap University Kids, a division of Bellingham, Washington-based Scrap University aimed at teaching children about metal recycling, has announced the upcoming September release of its second children’s book, “A Recycling Adventure to the Scrap Yard.”  

Jessica Alexanderson, president of Scrap University Kids, says the program aims to eliminate metal from the waste stream by educating children about its recyclability and introducing them to the scrap industry through initiatives like “A Recycling Adventure to the Scrap Yard.”  

“Our 30-year goal is to eliminate all metal from the landfill through education, teaching kids to never throw metal in the garbage,” Alexanderson says. She goes on to say that one of the objectives of the newest book is “to teach these little kids you can have your parents take [metal] to your local scrap yard and actually make some money from it.”  

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The second book in the four-book series follows protagonist Ellie as she and her friends collect aluminum cans around their neighborhood, take them to the scrap yard and get paid for their metal. While at the scrap yard, the children witness a truck go through an illustrated Wendt auto shredder.  

Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. (now referred to as Radius Recycling), Sennebogen and Wendt Corp. acted as contributors to the book. 

“We put [Sennebogen] right on the very front cover of the book because we just love their material handler,” Alexanderson says. “And then Schnitzer Steel [Radius Recycling] was so amazing. They took me on a tour of the scrap yard to show how it all works.”  

Alexanderson adds that she and illustrator Adam Trask worked directly with Wendt to ensure the depiction of the auto shredder was accurate. 

“A Recycling Adventure to the Scrap Yard” will be available to order in September from the Scrap University Kids website and bookbaby.com. Alexanderson, Brad Rudover and Shaziya Jaffer cowrote the book. 

“When we go in and read to the kids, we tell them about how cool scrap yards are and all of these amazing jobs that are out there,” Alexanderson says. “So, you don't have to be a doctor or a lawyer, you can actually do something to help the planet in the recycling industry too.” 

Scrap University Kids’ is also preparing to launch The Million Can Recycling Contest, a can collection initiative involving elementary schools in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Texas. From October to May, schools will compete to collect the most cans for a variety of prizes. Students are encouraged to connect with their local communities to collect as many cans as possible. 

“We want the kids to make posters to put around town,” Alexanderson says. “[And] have the parents reach out to local bars and restaurants, any big venue that's getting a lot of cans, and just have them bring the cans to these kids’ schools so that the money is going for good cause.” 

Alexanderson says local scrap yards will donate collection boxes and weigh the contents periodically to keep track of collection rates.  

The school that collects the most cans relative to its student body will receive $5,000. Students also will receive a copy of Scrap University Kids’ first book, “The Girl Who Recycled 1 Million Cans,” as well as stickers and magnets, Alexanderson says. Additional prizes will be awarded to schools and students for decorating their collection boxes. 

“I just want to teach little kids from a young age that your local scrap yard is down the street, these are people in your community that work there, they want to help the planet and they need your metal to do that,” Alexanderson says. “We're just hoping this [program] will make a change and that other people see what we're doing and help us and maybe expand the program next year so we could get more schools involved.” 

Scrap University Kids was launched in 2022 by Scrap University, an online training program for scrap processors.