Can you recycle metal?

♻️ RecycleYes — clean metal cans recycle curbside; scrap metal goes to a scrapyard.

Household metal is one of the easiest wins. Empty, rinsed aluminum and steel cans, clean foil, and pie tins go in the blue recycling cart. Larger or non-container metal (scrap) goes to a metal recycler, which often pays by weight.

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Curbside (blue cart)

Aluminum cans, steel/tin food cans, clean aluminum foil balled up, and clean pie tins. Rinse off food, and no need to remove labels.

Scrap metal near you

Pots and pans, appliances, pipes, wire, car parts, and large aluminum/steel/copper pieces are scrap — take them to a scrap metal recycling yard (search "scrap metal recycling near me"). Many pay cash by weight; copper and aluminum are worth the most.

Not metal recycling

Aerosol cans (if not empty), paint cans with wet paint, and batteries are hazardous — see how to dispose of those, don't put them in the metal stream.

Metal — quick FAQ

Is metal recyclable curbside?
Yes — empty, rinsed aluminum and steel cans, clean foil, and pie tins go in the blue recycling cart in LA County.
Where can I recycle scrap metal near me?
At a scrap metal recycling yard — search "scrap metal recycling near me." Many buy metal by weight, especially copper, aluminum, and steel.
Do I need to remove labels from metal cans?
No. Just empty and rinse them; paper labels are fine and come off during processing.

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