WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the second year, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy received top honors in the Great American Can Roundup's Commander-in-Chief's Challenge. As the top recycling service academy for the 2014-2015 GACR Challenge, all 896 cadets of the CGA's eight companies participated in the competition to recycle more than 3,100 aluminum beverage cans.
Coinciding with Earth Day celebrations, there will be an award ceremony taking place in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon on April 21, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. Maureen Sullivan, director of environmental safety and occupational health, Office of the Secretary of Defense, along with Can Manufacturers Institutes' President Robert Budway, will present the trophy and $3,000 to CGA.
Sponsored by the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), the GACR spreads awareness of the environmental benefits of recycling aluminum cans. The second annual challenge successfully fostered an atmosphere for healthy competition and environmental stewardship among these young leaders. The challenge ran from Nov. 15, 2014, (America Recycles Day) through March 15, 2015, with more than 388,600 cans recycled overall.
"The efforts put forth from these academies in this year's challenge have been astounding. Congratulations to all participating U.S. Service Academies for a terrific recycling achievement," said CMI President Robert Budway. "The importance of maintaining a sustainable world starts with recycling, and being that the aluminum beverage can is infinitely recyclable this is an easy place for our younger generations to begin."
"I'm very proud of our Corps of Cadets and this significant recognition of their efforts," said CGA Superintendent Rear Adm. Sandra Stosz. "Recycling and waste reduction has been an important initiative here for many years, and the commitment of our cadets to do the small things that can make a big difference in our sustainability efforts is truly commendable."
As the top per capita aluminum can recycling winner of the inter-academy challenge, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy distinguishes itself with an engraved plate on the Commander-in-Chief's Perpetual Trophy. Of the eight companies within the Academy, the Foxtrot Company took top honors in the Intra-Academy competition and will receive a $500 check and commemorative tray. Accepting the award are cadets Eva Sandri, Victor Broskey, Ivon Lassale and Carlie Gilligan.
The U.S. Air Force Academy recycled more than 11,000 pounds of aluminum beverage cans during this challenge. Also participating was the U.S. Naval Academy, whose 4th Company, 1st Battalion will take home $500 in Intra-Academy competition prize money, as well as a commemorative tray. Representing the USNA at the award ceremony will be Midshipmen Adam Hammer, Alexandra McIntosh and Peter Rockhold, and Lt. j.g. Maria Beltre.
The GACR Commander-in-Chief's Challenge is CMI's overarching initiative to promote and engage community recycling involvement, sponsor recycling events and distribute educational materials on the importance of environmental stewardship. Other challenges engage schools, scouts and the industry in working to encourage communities in recycling initiatives.
