Recycling Metal: What You Need to Know

Metals are super important for recycling, but not all of them belong in your bin. They don't break down quickly, making them valuable resources. Unfortunately, many metal items end up in the garbage, which means we're losing out on things we could recycle. Some metals need special handling, so always check what your local recycling program accepts.

Let's dive into some common metal items you might need to recycle!

Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans are the most recycled consumer product worldwide! They can be recycled forever without losing quality. Did you know that around 75% of all aluminum ever made is still in use? Plus, recycling aluminum saves 90% of the energy needed to make new cans from raw materials.

When cans end up in landfills, it takes about 200 years for them to biodegrade, and we've wasted over 11 million tons in the past two decades alone.

Some places offer can deposits where you can return your aluminum cans for a small refund. And remember, don't crush your cans anymore; it makes it harder for sorting machines to do their job.

Tin Cans

Think of all those metal soup cans you can recycle those too! Just be sure they're empty and rinsed out before tossing them in your recycling bin. Keep the metal lid inside the can to ensure it gets sorted correctly.

Cookie and Cake Tins

When looking to get rid of an old decorative in, make sure to wipe out any crumbs before adding them to your bin. But before you decide to toss, why not try to reuse them for storing items? They make great containers for sewing supplies.

Metal Bottle Caps

Metal bottle caps (both aluminum and steel) are recyclable, but they can be tricky because they're so small and often fall through sorting machines. To recycle them properly, group them by metal type: use a magnet to check if they're steel (if they stick) or aluminum (if they don't).

Fill a can halfway with caps, crimp it closed, and place it in your recycling bin. Some stores have take-back programs for caps, so check with your local retailers.

Pots and Pans

Unfortunately, pots and pans can't be recycled through regular programs. Check with local scrap metal facilities, as they often accept these items. Alternatively, consider donating them if they're still usable, or even upcycling them into planters.

Metal Coat Hangers

Most recycling facilities don't accept metal coat hangers because they can tangle in the machinery. Check with local scrap metal facilities, or consider donating them if they're in decent shape.

Sustainable Metal Disposal

These are just a few common metal items you might need to recycle. If you have larger metal items, check with your local program first. Keeping metals out of landfills helps preserve our natural resources. Let's keep metals in circulation and find sustainable ways to recycle them!