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