Mr. Burns is invited to speak at a meeting of the Junior Achievers Club, of which Lisa is a member. When Lisa asks Burns if the power plant has a recycling program, the old man confesses he is unfamiliar with the term. Later, Mr. Burns learns from his advisors that a series of bad investments have cost him his fortune. He is forced to give up the power plant, and he sells his manor to a pro wrestler. With no place left to go, Burns moves in with Smithers.

Anxious to earn his keep, Burns decides to do some grocery shopping. But he grows confused by the many varieties of products for sale. Convinced the old man has lost his mind, the market staff has him committed to a nursing home. Disgusted by his surroundings, Burns vows to regain his fortune. He begs Lisa for her help. At first, Lisa rejects Burns’ pleas. But when the old man agrees to earn back his money by doing socially responsible things, Lisa changes her mind.

Burns is amazed when he discovers that people will actually pay him money for old aluminum cans. Working tirelessly, Burns earns enough money from collecting cans to purchase a recycling truck. Amazed, Lisa tells her family that Burns has changed his evil ways. Shortly hereafter, Burns gives Lisa a tour of his new recycling plant, named in her honor. Once inside, Lisa discovers that Burns reused the plastic rings from six-packs to construct a large net capable of capturing aquatic life, which are then “recycled” into animal slurry. Lisa is horrified. Buoyed by profits from the recycling center, Burns regains his vast fortune and buys back the power plant. But Lisa rejects her ten-percent cut of the profits—causing Homer to suffer a heart attack.