Earth Day 2026: The "Recycle to the Max" expansion
- Aaron Harwell
- May 3
- 2 min read
In celebration of Earth Day, Safe Kids Greater Toledo is leading a shift in how we approach community risk reduction. We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our Recycle to the Max initiative—a multifaceted effort that bridges the gap between life-saving fire safety education and environmental stewardship.
Through a powerful collaboration between Safe Kids Greater Toledo, Klumm Brothers, Kripke Enterprises, Omnisource, and local fire departments, we are turning everyday environmental action into a funding engine for fire safety.
New Community Drop-Off Locations
As part of our Earth Day expansion, we have added two new locations where community members can drop off aluminum cans to support our mission. A special thanks to Klumm Brothers for generously providing the red dumpsters at these new sites!
You can now find new "Recycle to the Max" dumpsters at:
Lake Twp Fire: 4505 East Union Street, Walbridge, OH
Middleton Twp Fire: 21745 N. Dixie Highway, Bowling Green, OH 43402
These join our existing public network at Maumee, Oregon, Swanton, and Sylvania Fire Departments. Additionally, the Toledo Fire Department continues to support the cause through internal collection efforts.
Empowering the Next Generation: Max Learns Fire Safety
The proceeds from your recycled cans directly fund the Max Learns Fire Safety program. This initiative uses data and technology to engage young minds—specifically Pre-K through Kindergarten students—through the adventures of Max, a relatable character who teaches children how to stay safe from fire hazards.
The impact of this program is already being felt across our region:
Education: We have educated over 5,000 children and 1,500 adults.
Active Protection: Funding from recycling allows our teams to not just distribute, but successfully install free smoke and CO alarms.
Proven Success: To date, we have installed over 100 smoke alarms and 20 CO alarms for at-risk residents.
How You Can Help
Participation is easy and rewarding. Whether you are recycling a single bag of cans or making a large donation, every bit helps create a safer, more resilient neighborhood.
Drop Off Cans: Visit any of the public fire station dumpsters listed above.
Large Donations: Bring large collections directly to Kripke Enterprises (8201 Central Ave, Toledo, OH 43617). Important: Please tell the staff your donation is for Safe Kids CL 1810 (Commercial Load).
Donate Directly: If you don't have cans but want to support the mission, you can donate via our website at safetytothemax.com.
By supporting recycling efforts and fire prevention programs, you are making a significant impact on the global sustainability landscape and the safety of our children.
Together, we can build a brighter and safer future for all.
Does your local school or organization have an upcoming event where we could set up an aluminum recycling station?