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Join the Pop Tab Challenge!

Pop tabs. Pop tops. Pull tabs. Whatever you call them, collect the tabs from aluminum cans to help support Ronald McDonald House Charities. With the help of our long-time recycling partner Desert Metals Recycling, the pop tabs are recycled and RMHC-SA is paid, by weight, for the aluminum.

It’s the ultimate example of everyone pitching in. Every year we recycle millions of pop tabs (literally!) and typically receive $3,000-$4,000 annually that we can then use to support our mission.

Pop Tab Pandemonium – Our Annual School Competition

Pop tabs can be dropped off and weighed at the Ronald McDonald House any day of the week (including weekends!) from 9am to 6pm. When you arrive, ring the bell at the front door and let us know you’re here for the Pop Tab Challenge. A member of our team will come meet you in the courtyard with our pop tab cart to weigh your tabs, log them and give you an acknowledgement letter to share with your school.

What is Pop Tab Pandemonium?

Please contact Catherine Jones at 520-326-0060 x7110 with any questions.

Our 2024-2025 Pop Tab Pandemonium contest will run now through Earth Day, Monday, April 22, 2025.

Pop Tab Challenge
Registration Form

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • If we could be guaranteed that whole cans came in cleaned and crushed, we might be able to take the whole thing (although space is an issue). The tabs are an easy way to participate, and easy to collect.
  • If you are interested in collecting the whole can, you might consider bringing it to Desert Metals directly and then making a donation to RMHC-SA.
  • No, one pop tab does not equal 5 minutes of dialysis. But it does help us, so keep collecting!
  • No, the metal on the tab is not different from the metal in the can. It’s just an issue of space, cleanliness, and transportation.
  • In general, any aluminum tab is fine. Soda cans, energy drinks, cat food. We’ll take it all. If it sticks to a magnet, it’s not aluminum.
  • We can also take old keys, if they are kept separately. These tend to be worth more by weight, too!

Although we greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness, mailing pop tabs generally costs you more than what we earn from them. You might consider donating to a local school who participates in our Pop Tab Pandemonium challenge.

There are two main reasons we love pop tabs

    1. It’s a great way for the community to stay involved and think about Ronald McDonald House Charities. It’s a good reminder of our services to the public, and a fun way for kids to start practicing philanthropy.
    2. By participating, you are helping us raise funds to support our mission. We estimate that about 1,725 pop tabs equals one pound. The price of aluminum generally fluctuates between $0.25 and $0.50 per pound. That may not sound like much, but when the whole community bands together, it turns into thousands of dollars to support families!

Resources

If you need a small or large cardboard House, call Catherine Jones at 520-326-0060 x7110

Collection Canister Labels
Pull for the House poster

THANKS A MILLION CLUB HALL OF FAME

4 Million +

Pop Tabs Collected

Mary C. O'Brien Elementary School

Casas Christian School

3 Million +

Pop Tabs Collected

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Power from the Past

2 Million +

Pop Tabs Collected

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #8305 in Yuma, AZ

SADDLEBROOKE COMMUNITIES

A SaddleBrooke resident once said, “Where else could you give something so easily, not cost you anything and still give you back so much pleasure in knowing that you were helping someone?”

CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY

1 Million +

Pop Tabs Collected

OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS

RICHARD B. WILSON K-8

DESERT SHADOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL

ROADRUNNER ELEMENTARY

WHITMORE ELEMENTARY

BRICHTA ELEMENTARY

METCALF ELEMENTARY

Jodi & Sean Dorsey - In Memory of Kelli Rae

The Dorsey Family has been donating pop tabs for YEARS. Congratulations for reaching 1,000,000+ tabs!

Epsilon Sigma Alpha

Questions? Contact...

Catherine Jones

Donation Specialist

Catherine Jones

Info

Bio

  • 520.326.0060 x7110
    cjones@rmhctucson.org

    Pop Tabs, Donations, Silent Auction

  • As Donor Database and Development Coordinator, I am given the unique opportunity to work with every department at RMHC. From providing administrative support to the staff and helping our wonderful volunteers at the front desk, to keeping in touch with local schools who participate in the Pop Tab recycling program, I am lucky to be involved in so many aspects of what we do, and I’m constantly amazed at all the different ways our local Southern Arizona communities pull together to help our families. I’m honored to be a part of such an amazing organization.