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Sure We Can

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Sure We Can
Company typeNon-Profit Organization
IndustryRecycling
FoundedBrooklyn, NY, 2007
FounderAna Martinez de Luco
Eugene Gadsden
Headquarters
Brooklyn, New York
,
U.S.
Area served
New York City
Key people
Ryan Castilia (executive director)[1]
ServicesProviding redemption services
Websitesurewecan.org

Sure We Can is a nonprofit redemption center and community hub based in Brooklyn, New York.[2] Sure We Can provides container-deposit redemption services to the Brooklyn, New York area. Additionally, the organization serves as a community hub for the canner community that redeems there and for local environmental causes that promote the organizations dedication to sustainability.[3][4][5]

Recyclables are stacked, palleted, and stored in shipping containers before pick-up.

History

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The organization was founded in 2007 by cofounders Ana Martinez de Luco and Eugene Gadsden.[6] The facility is designed with canners, the people who collect cans and bottles from the streets, in mind, aiming to provide a welcoming place they can redeem their cans and bottles.[7] In 2019, the center annually processes 10 million cans and bottles for redemption, and serves a community of over 400 canners.[7] Sure We Can estimates that they distribute $700,000 per year to canners.[8] The average canner who visits Sure We Can earns $1000 per year.[9]

Starting in 2020, Sure We Can faces eviction by their landlord, who is interested in selling the lot they have rented for 10 years. As of 2021, the organization is seeking funding from either the city or private donor to buy the land.[10][9]

Sometime in 2022, Sure We Can was able to secure a $580,000 grant from the New York State Empire State Development (ESD) and the Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDC) ]] and together in conjunction with a small business loan, enabled the organization to purchase the site and continue the service it prides itself on. The organization also was able to raise over $50,000 through donors from all around the world. The fundraiser was a huge success and the funds were used to pay the closing costs and other fees associated with the sale.

References

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  1. ^ Yi, Karen (March 8, 2024). "As more people turn to collecting bottles and cans, NY lawmakers push doubling refunds". Gothamist. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  2. ^ Kilgannon, Corey (June 19, 2015). "A 'Street Nun' Who Specializes in Redemption". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  3. ^ Watt, Cecilia (March 1, 2019). "New York's canners: the people who survive off a city's discarded cans". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  4. ^ "Canners Versus the City–The Fight Over Your Empties". Brooklyn Based. April 24, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  5. ^ "In the shadow of Brooklyn's luxury apartments, "canners" form a tight-knit community". Mic. July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  6. ^ Ellerson, Page (February 17, 2020). "How one woman in New York City makes ends meet by collecting cans". CNN. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Sure We Can - Context history". Sure We Can.
  8. ^ Davenport, Emily (June 23, 2020). "Brooklyn-based recycling coalition calls for funding from City Council • Brooklyn Paper". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "VICE - NYC's Last Non-Profit Can Redemption Center Is Fighting to Stay Open". www.vice.com. May 28, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  10. ^ "City's Only Nonprofit Recycling Center Faces Eviction". www.ny1.com. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
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