Can you recycle aluminum cans?

♻️ RecycleYes — one of the best things you can recycle. Blue cart.

Aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable and one of the most valuable items in your bin — a recycled can is usually back on the shelf within about 60 days. Empty, quick-rinse, and drop soda and beer cans straight in the blue recycling cart.

📷 Scan an item with your phone

How to prep them

Pour out any liquid and give the can a quick rinse. Leave the tab attached (it's the same aluminum). You don't need to crush cans — some sorting systems read flattened cans as flat paper — so leave them as-is unless your program says otherwise.

What counts

Soda/beer cans, sparkling-water cans, and clean aluminum foil and pie tins all go in the blue cart. Steel/tin food cans recycle the same way (rinse, label can stay on).

Not aluminum cans

Aerosol cans (if not empty) and paint cans are handled separately — don't put pressurized or paint-filled cans in the recycling. Foil-lined snack pouches and chip bags aren't aluminum recycling either.

Aluminum Cans — quick FAQ

Are aluminum cans recyclable?
Yes — aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable and one of the highest-value items in curbside recycling. Empty, rinse, and put them in the blue cart.
Do I need to crush aluminum cans?
No — leave them as-is unless your program specifically asks for crushed cans, since flattened cans can be mis-sorted as paper.
Should I remove the tab or the label?
Leave the tab on (it's aluminum too). Labels on steel/tin cans are fine and come off in processing.
Can I recycle aluminum foil with cans?
Yes — clean aluminum foil and pie tins recycle with metals. Scrunch foil into a ball at least 2–3 inches so it's caught by the sorters.

Related

Can you recycle metalCan you recycle aluminum foilWhat can I recycle?

Not sure about something else? Point your camera at it and RecycleLens tells you the right bin.