The new resource, “The Value of Can and Bottle Recycling,” offers tips and suggestions for improving current practices, how to effectively communicate the goals of the program with staff and customers, as well as a checklist to help retailers reduce contamination in their recycling bins.

“NACS consumer surveys reveal that 70% of c-store customers say they empty out their vehicles while filling up at the pump, oftentimes placing recyclable materials like beverage cans and bottles in regular trash bins,” said Carolyn Schnare, NACS director of strategic initiatives. “This new resource provides guidance that can help our industry convey to their customers what to recycle and the value of doing so, as well as improve the likelihood that customers will recycle cans and bottles appropriately.”

“Consumers want to be good environmental stewards,” said CMI President Robert Budway, “And, having the ability to recycle aluminum beverage packaging away from home is a win-win for can manufacturers, convenience stores and consumers. We believe that increasing away from home recycling of aluminum cans will benefit the entire recycling system.”

Convenience stores serve an estimated 165 million customers daily—including the 40 million who fill up their vehicles. Per NACS consumer surveys, more than half of convenience store customers (53%) say that they’d like to see more recycling bins at their local c-store, providing an opportunity for the industry to enhance current recycling practices.

Waste management and recycling programs at convenience stores can also help ensure that trash is collected and/or recycled and does not become litter. Consumers have regularly cited litter as the top reason for opposing new store builds in their community, and cans and bottles account for one-third of items littered outside of a convenience store.

The new resource provides information on the benefits of recycling, steps to help improve recycling at c-stores and additional tools and resources available through NACS and CMI. “The Value of Can and Bottle Recycling” provides guidance for retailers that sell fuel—of the 153,000-plus c-stores in the United States, about 122,000 locations sell fuel—although much of the suggestions and messaging are relevant to the entire industry.

Download “The Value of Can and Bottle Recycling” at convenience.org/cansandbottles.

About NACS
National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) advances the role of convenience stores as positive economic, social and philanthropic contributors to the communities they serve. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 153,000 stores nationwide selling fuel, food and merchandise, serves 165 million customers daily—half of the U.S. population—and has sales that are 10.8% of total U.S. retail and foodservice sales. NACS has 1,900 retailer and 1,800 supplier members from more than 50 countries.

NACS Contact:
Jeff Lenard
V.P., Strategic Industry Initiatives
703-518-4272