We’re almost there! Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity’s (GSHFH) big push to collect aluminum cans for a grant ends Oct. 31. These days, the affiliate is working to raise just 217 pounds to lock in a $1,500 bonus. It has already secured the minimum requirement of 500 pounds and more than half of the extra 500 pounds.
The revised Novelis Affiliate Recycling Program kicked off in April and the premise is simple. Collect a minimum of 500 pounds of aluminum to earn a $2,500 grant. Novelis, an international leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, provided bins and encouragement.
“When we introduced the program knowing we’d have to collect 500 pounds of aluminum, we were nervous. But, the community surprised us. We hit the initial goal in July,” said Brandy O’Brien, GSHFH Marketing and Communications manager. “Since then, we’ve worked to collect an extra 500 pounds and the community has not let us down. They amaze us every week with their bagged donations.”
The Novelis Affiliate Recycling Program debuted in May 2021 when Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) and Novelis introduced a collaboration and invited Habitat affiliates to participate. Each quarter, donated cans were weighed and the weight was reported back to Novelis. A large sum was awarded to the affiliate that collects the most cans and a smaller amount is donated to participating organizations. Through these efforts, Greater Springfield Habitat earned roughly $6,000 and kept many cans out of the landfill.
The funds acquired from these challenges have primarily been put toward home preservation projects, namely ramps for limited-income seniors aging in place. It’s estimated an 8-foot steel and aluminum modular ramp with handrails can be made from approximately 2,400 cans, according to a source at Able Home Accessibility. Since 2021, GSHFH has installed three ramps.
Several area businesses have participated in the initiative by allowing a bin in their businesses and donating the contents to GSHFH. They include: All States Transport (AST), SR Commercial Realty, Reminder Publications, Lock and Key Realty; Pellerini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakseley; Dalton & Finegold; Shatz, Schwartz, and Fenin; and Romeo Athletics in Enfield, Connecticut.
To get your bin, call (413) 739-5503. Cans can be dropped off at 268 Cold Spring Ave in West Springfield. To schedule a pick up, call (413) 739-5503. Greater Springfield Habitat will also accept recyclable glass and plastic beverage bottles.
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