Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans are used to package beverages and food.  Aluminum cans are one of the most widely recycled materials since they have a high value.

• Rinsing is helpful but is not required.
• Combine with other recyclables, unless taking to a redemption center.
• Do not place aluminum cans in plastic bags.

Aluminum foil and food trays, if wiped/washed free of food debris, can be recycled with other metal cans.
 

• Recycling 1 aluminum can saves the energy equivalent of 1 cup of gasoline, 16 cans saves one gallon!
• Recycling aluminum cans uses 95 percent less energy than producing new cans.  The basic melt-and-recast process eliminates the mining, shipping, refining and reduction processes necessary to create new aluminum from bauxite ore.
• The energy saved by recycling 1 ton of aluminum equals the amount of electricity used by a typical home in 10 years.

What are aluminum cans made into?
Aluminum cans are shredded, cleaned, melted, and mixed with a pure aluminum base, then recast into new aluminum products.  Bauxite ore is refined into alumina (aluminum oxide), one of the primary feedstocks for aluminum metal. 

Aluminum cans account for all of the beverage can market, but only a small percentage of the food can market.  Aluminum never wears out and can be recycled over and over again. 

Aluminum can manufacturers have “light weighted” by making the can wall thinner.  In 1972, 22 cans weighed 1 pound; in 2002, 34 cans weighed 1 pound.

For a list of locations that offer redemption for aluminum cans click here.

No non-municipal options for this item. Click here for all options.