Total Trash Out - Contest Rules

Collect aluminum cans during a three-week period.
  • Two schools will be chosen as winners for:

    • Total pounds collected overall
    • Total pounds collected per student

  • CLEAN your aluminum cans!

  • CRUSH your aluminum cans!

  • COUNT your aluminum cans! If you are keeping track of how many cans per student, make sure the student tags each bag with the following information:

    • Student name
    • Classroom
    • Teacher
    • Number of cans.

      Remember, the top two students who collect the most cans from your school will be invited to attend the Awards Luncheon.


  • As of January 1st, 2007 California Redemption Value (CRV) is $1.60 per pound and there are approximately 31.3 aluminum cans to one pound.

  • All bins will be provided by Waste Management and transported to Alameda Metals for redemption and weighed on their official scale. Please Note: due to moisture content, different aluminum can weights and other factors, your internal tracking weights will not match Alameda Metals' results.

  • Bin exchanges must be faxed in for pick up by 2:00 PM for next day service. i.e. if you want your bin exchanged on Friday, you must fax in your order no later than 2:00 pm on Thursday. We encourage each school to have one person monitor the designated 3-yard bin for aluminum cans only.

    • The bin is white and labeled with a PINK decal for the duration of the contest. "TOTAL TRASH OUT PROGRAM / ALUMINUM CANS ONLY"
    • All bins are locking and should be locked at all times.
    • The bin MUST be full in order for an exchange.
    • If the bin is not accessible (for example, blocked by a car or behind a locked gate), we will have to come back another day. We cannot guarantee next day service.
    • All bin exchange orders must be faxed on the official TTO Fax Template to Lisa Hemenway at (661) 223-3446.
    • PLEASE do not wait until the last few days of the contest to get your bin exchanged. It may delay the process.


  • We encourage students to ask local employers, merchants, industries, friends, family and neighbors to help in the school’s recycling activities. Please collect your cans only from people you know. Do not approach the homes and businesses of people of which you are not familiar. Remember, all aluminum cans must be transported to the school before the final deadline to be counted in the contest.