Anheuser-Busch said a push that started in 1978 to recycle aluminum cans has so far kept the equivalent of more than 460 billion aluminum beverage containers out of U.S. landfills, as well as managing to educate consumers about the power of recycling.

“We’re proud of the fact that we’ve helped millions of consumers get involved in recycling and increased their awareness of our environment,” said Trevor Hansen, vice president of Anheuser-Busch Recycling. “Our employees have become recycling experts and enjoy working with local communities to develop creative solutions and educational programs. We try to show people that we can each make a difference for the environment by recycling, even if it is only one can at a time.”

A number of initiatives have been developed to celebrate the anniversary, including the development of a new Web site, www.powerofrecycling.com, where visitors can learn about the importance of recycling and how they can create recycling programs in their communities.

In addition, Anheuser-Busch Recycling is distributing thousands of recycling bins to Anheuser-Busch wholesalers across the country to assist in local recycling projects.

“When we first started, our mission was to help create an aluminum can recycling infrastructure by working with the company’s wholesalers across the country,” said Hansen. “We purchased and provided each wholesaler can processing equipment and helped set them up as centers to purchase cans from the general public.”

Currently, Anheuser-Busch Recycling helps its partners advertise and promote recycling of aluminum cans. More than 700 suppliers still have equipment purchased by the company and use it to process and then sell directly to their partner, Anheuser-Busch Recycling.