Indianapolis, IN, The Indiana Recycling Coalition is pleased to announce the most significant grant of its public space recycling bin grant program. The new Ford Center in Evansville has received 50 recycling bins that will help satisfy recycling plans set forth for this sustainable venue. Keep Evansville Beautiful has also received 25 recycling bins designed to be loaned out for beverage container recycling at community events.

“With approximately 30% of recyclable beverage containers consumed away from home, the Indiana Recycling Coalition (IRC) has made increasing access to public space recycling a priority,” said Carey Hamilton, the executive director of the IRC. “The IRC is thrilled to be able to provide new access to public space recycling in Evansville and it’s fitting to announce this new recycling program on America Recycles Day,” continued Ms. Hamilton.

The IRC’s statewide bin grant program is financed through a $125,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation, which provided recycling bins to Alcoa communities across the state. The Alcoa Foundation is also assisting with recycling at the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis. These activities are in alignment with Alcoa’s goal to increase recycling rates of used beverage cans to 75 percent by 2015.

Used aluminum beverage cans remain the most recycled consumer material on earth, but recycling rates in the United States lag behind other countries. Alcoa has set a strategic goal to increase recycling rates of used beverage cans to 75 percent by 2015

“We’re very proud of the partnership that the Alcoa Foundation has with the Indiana Recycling Coalition, and we’re excited that this state-wide organization has allocated its largest single grant to the new Ford Center in Evansville,” said Jeff Boris, the Rolling Manager for Alcoa’s Warrick Operations. “One of the Alcoa Foundation’s goals is to increase the number of community members who take action to address environmental sustainability in their daily lives. So the Foundation’s investment in public space recycling is an important step in creating additional opportunities for people to demonstrate this value.”

The IRC has also developed a public space recycling toolkit available to all 39 grant recipients as well as anyone who would like to start a recycling program at a venue in their community. Information on the program, including tips on increasing recycling in your community, is available online at www.indianarecycling.org