Our biggest fundraiser is aluminum can recycling

SCBCF Recycle Program Resources:

Many South Carolina fire departments and businesses participate in collecting and recycling aluminum cans for burned children. These red can trailers are used to collect aluminum cans throughout the state. Once a trailer is filled, it’s taken to a local recycler and weighed. The recycler determines the aluminum value per pound, multiplied by the weight of aluminum cans in the trailer, and pays that value to the South Carolina Burned Children’s Fund.

The aluminum can recycling program was started in 1996 and has remained a consistent fundraiser for the South Carolina Firefighters Burned Children’s Fund. This money goes to support the mission to provide support to South Carolina burned children and their families.

FAQ on aluminum can recycling

  • We've made this informative flyer on how SCBCF's Aluminum Recycle Program works.

    SCBCF Aluminum Can Trailer Recycle Program Flyer

  • It's easy to collect aluminum instead of trashing it. Add an aluminum-only bin beside your mixed recyclables or trash bin. If your aluminum-only bin is outdoors, cover it to keep bugs out. Bag your recycled aluminum and take it to your closest aluminum can trailer location. Note: some recyclers don't like plastic/paper bags in their aluminum cans. So check the aluminum can trailer for any signs that say "No bags" or "aluminum only" and dump the cans, trash the bag.

  • Buying beverages in aluminum cans can be cheaper than buying beverages in plastic or glass.

    Aluminum versus Plastic

    Walmart sells a 12 pack of 12 oz. Diet Coke in aluminum cans for $7.28. Walmart also sells an 8 pack of 12 oz. Diet Coke in plastic bottles for $5.88. The price per aluminum can ($0.606) is cheaper than the price per plastic bottle ($0.738).

    Aluminum versus Glass

    Walmart sells Bud Light beer in a 12 pack of 12 oz. aluminum cans for $12.48. A 12 pack of 12 oz. Bud Light beer in glass bottles costs the same at $12.48. Choosing aluminum over glass doesn't cost you more and the aluminum can be recycled!

  • 34 aluminum cans = 1 pound and 1 pound of aluminum = $0.44 (on average)

    Our standard aluminum can trailer can hold 400 pounds of aluminum. That's $160 from recycling!

Are you interested in placing a can recycle trailer at your fire department or business to support the SC Firefighters Burned Children’s Fund?

Complete the info below and a Burned Children’s Fund representative will contact you.