FollowCongratulations to the following ALPAR Flying Cans participants who received funding this week to purchase can crushers (either small hand-operated or larger mechanized versions) in 2024. Eight communities will share nearly $9,000 in equipment funding. Those receiving funds:
- Nondalton Tribal Council ($2,500): intends to purchase one electric crusher ($60) and 40 hand-operated crushers ($20/each)
- Nunam Iqua Traditional Council ($2,100): intends to purchase one large electric crusher/baler
- Native Village of Kivalina ($210): intends to purchase two electric crushers
- Napaskiak Tribal Council ($1,000): intends to purchase 50 hand-operated crushers at $20/each
- Native Village of Elim ($800): intends to purchase hand-operated crushers for IGAP Department and community members
- Native Village of Kalskag ($990): intends to purchase 66 hand-operated crushers at $14.99/each
- Kotlik Tribal Council ($1,000): intends to purchase one electric at $123 and 45 hand-operated crushers at $19.59/each
- Native Village of Marshall ($280): intends to purchase two mechanized crushers at $140/each
Funds were provided by the American Beverage Association/American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America, with assistance from Coca-Cola Bottling of Alaska, a subsidiary of The Odom Corporation. ALPAR administered the grant funds.
To qualify, applicants had to be enrolled in ALPAR’s Flying Cans. The program allows rural communities off the road and rail system and without the ability to recycle aluminum beverage cans (UBCs) locally to collect and send in UBCs at no cost via members of the Alaska Air Carriers Association. The UBCs are routed to the Anchorage Recycling Center, which then sends reports to ALPAR, which in turn pays the market rate for UBCs quarterly.
UBCs are infinitely recyclable. The effort keeps a valuable resource out of local landfills and the funds earned are often re-invested in local IGAP Environmental Departments for community outreach and training. In 2023, rural communities sent in more than 9.5 tons of UBCs.