Habitat for Humanity and Novelis announced today the launch of a new initiative that encourages local communities to recycle more. Through this program, Novelis, a global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, is providing recycling bins and monetary grants to help Habitat organizations across the U.S. and Canada increase neighborhood sustainability.
The recycling initiative begins June 1 and invites 140 local Habitat organizations to work with their local civic groups, businesses and community partners to improve sustainability in their communities.
“As a longtime partner of Habitat for Humanity, Novelis is proud to support this recycling initiative at a time when recycling rates are trending downward, and the need for safe, affordable housing continues to trend upward,” said Ashley Gravlee, corporate social responsibility manager at Novelis. “Aluminum is the most valuable material in our recycle bins and can be a sustainable source of funding for organizations like Habitat that can use the value of recycled aluminum to increase access to affordable housing.”
During the pilot phase of the initiative, which began in November of last year, 39 Habitat organizations competed to collect the most aluminum. Together, over three months, they collected and recycled 1 million aluminum cans. Novelis donated $5,000 to the winning Habitat organization and $1,000 to each Habitat organization that participated. Funds will be used to address the specific housing needs of each respective community.
“Novelis has been a significant partner in helping us carry out our social responsibility to continuously find improved ways to take better care of our neighborhoods,” said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, chief development officer at Habitat for Humanity International. “Safe, affordable housing can only be sustainable in healthy environments and this initiative is just one of the ways Novelis is helping us revitalize communities. With 1 million cans collected in just a few months, we look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together as this initiative grows.”