Habitat nabs matching funds for can collections

The Springfield affiliate recycled 4,800 aluminum cans worth $2,400, and after a matching grant, the affiliate will have $4,800 to use in building homes for area families, said Anna Codutti, director of development for the Springfield Habitat affiliate.

Nationwide, Habitat affiliates recycled more than 131,000 pounds of aluminum cans, raising $62,000 for home building, in the span of one month. Under the terms of the contest, the Aluminum Association is matching that amount, dollar for dollar, and is awarding the top affiliate in Grand Island, Neb., a $10,000 grant for its efforts to recycle 10,823 pounds of aluminum.

According to a Cans for Habitat news release, since the recycling program’s inception more than seven years ago, 647 Habitat affiliates have recycled more than 11.8 million pounds of aluminum, yielding enough money to build 92 homes.

More than 100 Habitat affiliates participated in Recycling Double Play. Other top finishers were in Fort Wayne, Ind., Yuma, Ariz., and Springhill, La.