thinkcans.com

Cash for Cans has helped many charities and good causes to raise funds. Once supporters get into the habit the money soon mounts up! 

Find your local cash for cans centre:

There are around 300 cash for cans centres in the UK, which are supported by the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) and/or Novelis Recycling.  To find details of cash for cans recycling centres in your area click here

Getting a recycling scheme started:

1. Contact your local cash for cans centre for help and advice. They can supply posters, leaflets and magnets; and you may be eligible to receive a free start-up supply of recycling boxes and bags. You can also download promotional posters here
2. Enlist supporters - as well as getting members of your charity to recycle at home and work ask your local schools, businesses and shops (e.g. cafes) if they will collect for you.
3. Set up collection points for recycling and make sure everyone knows where they can recycle to help your cause. One idea is to have a central collecting point, where people can come and drop off their bags of cans. Why not create a fun totaliser and get everyone involved!
4. Tell the local papers what you're doing - this will help spread your message far and wide! And don't forget to let them know how your scheme is going - for example when you reach a particular target.
5. Keep records of how many kilos you have collected, how much money you've raised and what that has helped to fund. It's a great way to motivate collectors to do more!
6. Communicate regularly with all your supporters to remind them about the recycling scheme. Use notice boards and newsletters to shout about how well the scheme is doing!

HANDY TIPS!!

Don't forget that it's only aluminium cans that are worth cash, so please remind your collectors to check their cans to make sure they are all aluminium. Here's how to check:

• Test the side of the can with a magnet - aluminium is NOT magnetic, so the magnet WON'T STICK. Tester magnets are usually available from cash for cans centres.
• Look for the 'alu' symbol - most cans now display information about which metal they are made of
• Also - aluminium cans are lighter, do not rust and have a shiner base than steel cans.

To save space squash cans before saving them.

You can purchase a can crusher designed especially to do the job for you

Do you require a large quantity of boxes and bags or other supplies for recycling?

Find out where and how to get recycling supplies here.

Success stories

• Scotland West Special Olympics Team
  Donald Aide raised over £10,000 for the Scotland West Special Olympics Team by collecting cans from local pubs and clubs.
• SSPCA
  The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ran the 'Cans Against Cruelty' to give people the opportunity to fundraise without having to put their hands in their pockets.
• Dogs for the Disabled
  The Leicestershire branch of this charity have been recycling to fund its training programme for assistance dogs. The appeal is well-known locally and is supported by pubs, clubs and a local garden centre.
• Woodside Animal Centre
  Mrs Pat Walduck has been supporting the Leicestershire branch of the RSPCA for more than 10 years. Pat has collected over 162,000 cans raising in excess of £1,000.
• Mr Alex Milligan
  Cashing in over one million aluminium drink cans, super recycler Mr. Milligan has raised over £15,000 over the last twenty years. Donations have been made to national charities such as DEBRA and Guide Dogs for the Blind and local charities in the Edinburgh area.
• 164th Sheffied Wolf Cubs
  The 164th Sheffield Wolf Cubs have been collecting aluminium cans for over 10 years, with funds helping to rebuild the Scout HQ. The Cubs collect over 100 kg every 2-3 months raising valuable funds to replace and update equipment used by the group.
• Enfield Primary School
  Enfield Primary School in Grimsby are collecting cans help fund a new playground, in a project costing £8000
• Groby Church Bellringers
  Sue Scott recycles in aid of Groby Bellringers and has raised over £900 by recycling 140,000 aluminium cans. The funds raised have been used to replace a ladder in the church belltower and refurbish both the tower bell and handbells which are rung by a team of 10 children.
  Says Sue: "Recycling aluminium cans benefits the environment as well as the Bellringers!"

Recycling Supplies

• Click here for iwantoneofthose.com
• Click here for lakelandlimited.com

Do you require a large quantity of boxes and bags for recycling? You can purchase them directly from Alupro

Looking for posters and other materials to support your recycling activities? See here for some downloadable resources