One of the easiest recyclable materials to work with is aluminum metal cans. For starters, there’s very little confusion among the masses: Everyone knows metal is recyclable. Aluminum metal cans are also infinitely recyclable—the material doesn’t break down or lose its quality the more it’s recycled. This is huge when you consider we rely on metal cans daily for everything from soda cans to paint and other commercial and household goods.
Just imagine for a second if we couldn’t recycle aluminum metal cans or if there were a limit to how many times a single metal can go through the recycling process—the amount of overcrowding and pollution at area dumps would be unlike anything we could ever imagine. That said, what many people don’t realize is that there is a right way and wrong way to recycle aluminum metal cans.
All American Recycling: Metal Can Recycling and a Whole Lot More! Call 512-243-1183
At All American Recycling, your source for scrap metal recycling in the Austin, Texas area, we see time and time again what is widely referred to as recycling contamination. This is when consumers think they are doing their part to reduce, reuse, and recycle but are unintentionally guilty of incorrect disposal.
- Not cleaning out cans before tossing in the recycling bin
- Recycling the wrong items together (i.e., aluminum metal cans and plastic lids)
- Thinking certain metal cans can’t be reused
Contamination happens every day, especially in residential neighborhoods worldwide. For recycling facilities and processors, contamination of any recyclable materials—even aluminum metal cans—leads to equipment malfunctions, injuries, slower material sorting, and the potential for pollution. So, as mindful as we are of the 3 Rs, there is a need for continuing education on how to properly dispose of aluminum metal cans in an eco-friendly way.
Do You Recycle These and Other Metal Cans?
- Soda and beverage cans
- Canned goods
- Aerosol cans
- Paint cans
- Tin cans
- Spray paint cans
- Industrial cleanser cans
Be Part of the Solution With These Metal Can Recycling Tips
When you consciously choose to reduce, reuse, and recycle aluminum metal cans, you’re lowering the number of recyclable materials we create and send to landfills worldwide. You also reduce greenhouse gases, conserve finite resources, save energy, and lower overall air and water pollution. Americans create more than 200 million tons of trash each year, so the environmental and economic benefits of recycling are practically limitless.
Just do it the right way. Here are a few tips for recycling aluminum metal cans.
7 Tips to Recycle Your Aluminum Metal Cans the Right Way
- Clean your metal cans first — The last thing you want to do is toss metal cans into the recycling bin before cleaning them out. Food, liquid, and other hazardous materials left inside can lead to irreversible contamination. This can easily be accomplished by rinsing them out in the sink or using a spray hose outside.
- Remove labels — Your local recycling center may remove paper labels on metal cans as part of their process. But it might not be a bad idea to ask in advance. Anything you can do ahead of time speeds up material sorting.
- Take lids off entirely — One thing many of us are guilty of when it comes to recycling metal cans is that we only remove the lid halfway. Remove all metal lids entirely and wash them off before placing them in the recycling bin alongside the metal cans themselves.
- Pay attention to plastic — Many metal cans we use every day have plastic lids or bottle caps. Please remove any plastic lids before tossing the cans in the recycling bin. Sort your plastics in a separate bin entirely.
- Go easy on aluminum cans — Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to crush aluminum cans (i.e., soda cans) before recycling them. Doing so can contaminate the batch.
- Pop tops are also recyclable — Many people remove them from soda cans and discard them in the regular trash. Please don’t do this. Include pop tops with your aluminum metal cans.
- Don’t bag your recycling — Unlike your traditional trash dumpster, you don’t need to bag your aluminum metal cans and other recyclables before tossing them in the recycling bin. Empty them directly into the bin.
All American Recycling Knows What Can Be Recycled. Call 512-243-1183
Recycling benefits our environment AND our economy. But as much as we all believe that, in reality not enough of us are putting those thoughts into action. One recent survey found that while 94% of Americans support paper recycling, only 35% actually do it. The result is increased contamination and more recyclables making their way into the ocean, our landfills, streets, and more. Aluminum metal cans, food waste, and paper products make up the majority of that waste—waste that could be reused and recycled.
All American Recycling Is Your Partner in Recycling Scrap Metal
All American Recycling in Austin, Texas is your one stop place for all scrap metal recycling, aluminum metal can recycling, copper recycling, stainless-steel recycling, and recycling scrap wire. Our Austin scrap metal yard is open to the public and designed to get customers in and out easily and safely. Family-owned and operated for over 40 years, we can offer you unbeatable pricing and customer service. We work hard to earn your business!
Give us a call at 512-243-1183 for daily prices or to get started.