In the past few years, Cans for the Community has given $23,000 to nonprofit organizations from the proceeds of recycling almost 2 million cans. Now, thanks to a grant, the organization hopes to be able to give even more.

Cans for the Community was one of 76 organizations to win recycling bins through a national grant program administered by the National Recycling Coalition and Coca-Cola. Cans for the Community recycles aluminum cans collected at area businesses and parking lot drop-offs, then donates the money from recycling the cans to nonprofit organizations.

The organization will receive 50 hefty recycling bins from the grant program. Board member Kathy Richardson said the durable bins will be useful for high-traffic areas at some of the 80 businesses that participate in the program. Many of the bins now are cardboard, Richardson said.

Because Cans for the Community gives all of its profits to nonprofit groups, Richardson said, grant programs and donations are essential to expanding the operation.

“Our goal is to have over 100 businesses signed up to recycle aluminum cans,” she said. “So, this grant really does help us with our recycling efforts for the community.”

For more information on Cans for the Community, including recycling drop-off locations, visit www.cansforthecommunity.org.