Coors "Cash for Cans" Sign - Golf Green

In the late 1950s a parent company of Coors Porcelain investigated the idea of replacing steel beverage cans with aluminum ones, as part of a closed-loop recycling system. A two fold benefit, to both the environment and beer bottling costs, would be achieved. The recycling program was initially started in 1960, but the overwhelming public response and lack of recycling infrastructure delayed its complete implementation. In 1970, Coors resumed their ambitious and aggressive program called "Cash for Cans", which operated throughout Coors' 11-state marketing area offering a penny a can. Coors success with the aluminum industry was a critical breakthrough in the development of Americas recycling market and collection infrastructure. Pictured above is an early Coors "Cash for Cans" sign resembling a golf tee-off green, complete with Astroturf. It was meant to go on a liquor stores countertop next to the cash register. Campaign signs like this one were made of recycled aluminum, but for whatever reason plastic was used later on in their manufacturing. From my examination of old advertisements, Coors biggest push in their "Cash for Cans" campaign appears to have occurred in 1974. Therefore the signs briefly made of recycled aluminum during the 74 campaign are rarer and hence more collectable.

Reference information:

THE COORS RECYCLING STORY:
Making Business Work for the Environment
Coors Brewing Company
July 1994