How to Recycle Aluminum

Of the 102 billion aluminum cans manufactured in 1998, 62 million were recycled. Even if your community does not have curbside recycling, you should be able to find a drop-off center nearby where you can take your aluminum to be recycled.

Things You'll Need

• Yellow Pages
• Recycle Bins

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Check with your county's Department of Public Works to determine where to recycle aluminum, tin and foil.

• 2

  Rinse and place aluminum/tin cans, caps, lids and foil in the same recycle bin. Most counties with curbside recycling programs will pick these up together.

• 3

  Drop off aluminum/tin cans, caps, lids and foil at drop-off centers if your community does not have a curbside recycling program. Most centers will be listed in the yellow pages under recycling.

• 4

  Avoid recycling spray cans or cans containing paint or hazardous materials. Contact your local recycling program or Department of Public Works to learn where these can be recycled.

• 5

  Get in touch with the local buy-back center if you live in an area with bottle/can deposits and plan to drop off a large number of aluminum cans for cash.

• 6

  Call 1 (800) CLEANUP for state recycling information.

• 7

  Contact the Can Manufacturers Institute for more information on recycling.