Great project

Cans for the Community a simple concept that has had a big impact.

Who would have thought that a volunteer effort to collect and recycle aluminum cans could result in $55,000 in donations for nonprofit agencies in Douglas County?

Probably not even the organizers of Cans for the Community could have envisioned that kind of success when they started their project five years ago.

It’s such a simple concept, but it has paid big dividends. Local residents drop off their aluminum cans in 10 recycling bins scattered around Lawrence. A small group of volunteers dedicates about 25 hours a week to picking up the cans and selling them to a recycler for 40 cents per pound.

All of the proceeds go to area nonprofit agencies. During five years, the group has recycled 4.6 million cans and made 87 different donations of $500 or $1,000.

Wow. If you’d like to volunteer or find out where to take aluminum cans, you can visit www.cansforthecommunity.org.

Congratulations to a dedicated group with a great idea.