Prospect Ridge Academy is excited to announce its 2025-26 Miner Mania partnership with the Recycling Society, with PRA being selected as one of 45 schools nationwide to compete in the Million Cans Recycling contest.
Over 3.5 millions cans have been recycled to date through this annual contest, which was launched in 2022 and gets underway in October and runs through April 30. PRA is the only school in Colorado competing in this annual competition.
“Miner Mania is one of our favorite K-12 traditions each year and we are proud to now serve as the first school in Colorado competing in the Million Cans Recycling Contest,” said PRA Executive Director, April Wilkin. “This annual community service initiative aligns with PRA's mission and vision of creating academic, social, and ethical leaders. Recycling participation across the state of Colorado is below the national average and we’re excited for the opportunity to do our part!”
Aluminum Dynamics and Rocky Mountain Recycling have joined the cause as PRA’s partners for the competition. RMR has donated the large recycling container outside of the PRA High School. They will collect the large recycling container periodically throughout the competition, weigh the collected cans, and pay 50 cents per pound of aluminum back to PRA.
The Million Cans Recycling contest provides an excellent opportunity for participating schools to raise funds, while also tackling the challenge that less than 50% of aluminum cans in the United States are recycled each year, and an estimated 16% of Coloradans currently recycle/compost. Schools that recycle used aluminum cans will keep 100% of the proceeds from the sale of collected cans to local scrap yards, turning cans into cash to fund school programs, resources, and infrastructure needs.
"I am very excited that PRA is able to participate in the Million Cans Recycling Challenge! I think this is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to learn more about recycling and how recycling benefits all of us and our environment,” said Dan Cosio, a PRA parent and the Commercial Director-Packaging at Aluminum Dynamics. “The Challenge allows us to do this while also competing against other schools across the country to collect the most aluminum beverage cans."
The PRA Student Council will lead the charge during the duration of the Million Cans Recycling Challenge, spearheading the collection and counting methods across campus. Members of the PRA community are encouraged to donate their empty and clean aluminum cans at the designated drop-off bins on campus.
As in previous years, PRA will come together as a K-12 for the annual service event and Miner Mania celebration on Thursday, February 19. Click this link to track the collection leaderboard throughout the contest.
In addition to cash incentives, schools will receive prizes for reaching specific recycling goals throughout the year, as well as end-of-year bonuses awarded to the top three schools that recycle the most beverage cans per student. These prizes are sponsored by Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) members and other donors to the Recycling Society.
The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) is the national trade association of the metal can manufacturing industry and its suppliers in the United States. The can industry accounts for the annual domestic production of approximately 135 billion food, beverage, aerosol, and general line cans; employs more than 28,000 people with plants in 33 states, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa; and generates about $15.7 billion in direct economic activity.
The Recycling Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to turning today’s students into lifelong recyclers—and sparking behavioral change as our “recycling superheroes” inspire their friends and families to recycle, too. Our flagship Million Cans Recycling Contest (Oct 1, 2025–Apr 30, 2026) pairs elementary schools with local scrapyards so students learn that aluminum has value and can be recycled forever. Schools keep 100% of the proceeds from the cans they collect, turning everyday recycling into classroom resources and community pride. With support from sponsors, scrapyards, educators, and donors, we’re growing the contest to more schools across the United States, empowering kids to lead by example at home, at school, and in their neighborhoods. Together, we celebrate progress, build strong local partnerships, and protect our planet—one can at a time.
Miner Mania at Prospect Ridge Academy is an annual tradition that brings the entire K12 student body together for a service-based project benefiting the greater community. This event aligns with PRA's mission and vision of creating academic, social, and ethical leaders through character education and service learning programs.
The students involved in Miner Mania serve as leaders, guiding their peers and modeling leadership qualities. Partnering with different charitable organizations each year, Miner Mania focuses on kids helping other kids, fostering empathy and understanding among students.