CANS TO DOLLARS; ALUMINUM CAN RECYCLING GAINS IN POPULARITY

Whether it contains beer, soda or juice, the aluminum can is the most recycled material in the nation.

More than 63 billion cans are returned annually for recycling. That averages 242 recycled cans for every American.

With more than 100 billion cans being produced each year, almost 40 billion cans annually aren't recycled. Some but not many are used by craftsmen and artists, who slice and shape the colorful metal skins into models of helicopters, planes and other vehicles they sell at craft fairs.

Because of their market value as a recyclable commodity, aluminum cans help support charity organizations and recycling programs nationwide. Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and parent-teacher associations are among groups that conduct annual drives to collect cans to fund some of their activities.

Members of humane societies throughout the U.S. take part in the annual "Paws to Recycle," a nationwide can-collection drive to benefit animal shelters. In addition to earning money received for recycling, participating shelters can earn free pet food and the chance to win one of five $3,000 grand prizes.

A few entrepreneurs make arrangements with home and business owners to collect cans weekly as a sideline business.

Sides Steel Supply and Metal Recycling Co. purchases more than 21,000 pounds of recyclable aluminum a year from the city of Cape Girardeau.

"Normally the period between late February and mid-June are big aluminum-can months," said Bob Sides of the company. "This year it hasn't tapered off any."

Sides said he purchases the cans in amounts from a small bag full to a pickup-truck load.

Sides is paying 45 cents a pound for cans.

The price of aluminum has been up and down over the past 10 years, said Sides.

Prices still vary throughout the state, from 30 to 35 cents a pound in the Bootheel, to 35 to 45 cents a pound in the St. Louis area. Prices in the Cape Girardeau area have fluctuated from 35 cents to the current 45 cents a pound.

A lot of people collect their aluminum cans, taking them in twice a year, said Sides.

"We have some serious collectors here," he said "There are a number of people who bring in 1,000 pounds at a time."

Many of the cans reach Sides through the Cape Girardeau recycling program, which provides city residents recycling pickups for aluminum, steel and tin cans, newspapers and glass. The city last year picked up more than 135,000 pounds of metal cans, but more than 114,000 pounds were tin and steel, said Pam Sander, solid-waste coordinator for the city. The cans are separated by a magnet system at the Cape Girardeau Public Works Department, 219 N. Kingshighway.

Aluminum can recycling has become an important element in the aluminum industry. Recycled scrap makes up more than 25 percent of the total U.S. aluminum supply.

The U.S. is the leading aluminum producing country. Other big producers are Russia, Canada, Australia and Brazil.

Among the largest aluminum companies in the U.S. are Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA); Laumax Inc.; Reynolds Metals Co., and Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Co.

Sides participates in the "Paws to Recycle" program for the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, which has participated in the program since it was initiated two years ago.

Everyone involved benefits from the campaign, said Jhan White, administrator of the local Humane Society shelter.

The program is sponsored by the American Humane Association, Friskies PetCare Co. and ALCOA."

The Humane Society is accepting cans at the shelter, 2536 Boutin Drive, and at Sides Steel Supply and Metal Recycling, 80 Broadview. Cans will be accepted for the program through Oct. 31. However, the society accepts cans all year to help with maintenance costs.

"If you take the cans to Sides, just tell him they are for the Paw program," said White.

Aluminum cans can build up weight in a hurry. "It takes about 30 to 33 cans to weigh a pound," said Sides.

The aluminum cans are returned to aluminum sheet manufacturers. It takes as few as 60 days for an aluminum beverage can to be recycled, filled, and returned to stores for sale.