How to Recycle Tabs From Aluminum Cans

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted that in 2009 the United States generated 1.8 million tons of aluminum for making containers/packaging and 1.6 million tons for producing products like car parts and appliances. Americans discarded almost 3 million tons of aluminum that year. However, Americans recycled nearly 1 million tons of aluminum beverage cans. Efforts to increase that amount include programs for recycling just the cans' pull tabs. The tabs aren't worth more than other aluminum products but they're easy to collect and there are more ways -- some creative -- to recycle them.

Instructions

• 1

  Remove tabs from aluminum cans. Loosen them by wiggling them back and forth to make snapping them off easier.

• 2

  Take the tabs to your local recycling center and receive payment for them. Tabs can be recycled along with other aluminum items.

• 3

  Recycle tabs through the Ronald McDonald House Charities' Pop Tab Recycling Program. All proceeds go directly to the charity.

• 4

  Create jewelry or other accessories. For example, connect pull tabs with a nylon cord to create a belt.

• 5

  Use tabs in your craft projects or give them to a local school to use for arts and crafts.