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What Happens to Recycled Aluminum Cans?
Curious about the lifecycle of an aluminum can? In this post, you’ll learn how to recycle aluminum cans and what happens when you recycle them.Byline: BTB Editor
May 21, 2025 / Time to read: 5 minWhen it comes to recycling, aluminum really shines. It’s one of the most recycled — and recyclable — materials in existence. Even more impressive?
All sorts of aluminum items can be recycled, from foil and food packaging to car parts and electrical wires. And then there’s the humble aluminum can.
Keep reading — and bring your can-do spirit — to learn how to recycle aluminum cans and what exactly happens them after you drop them in your recycling bin.
The Aluminum Can Recycling Process
The
Once you enjoy a bubbly seltzer, for instance, it’s time to recycle the can. After that, the can will head to a collection center and then a materials recovery facility for sorting. During the sorting process, aluminum cans are separated from other materials. Then, they’re cleaned and shredded into small pieces. Next, the shreds are melted into molten metal, which is poured into a cast to make sheets or
How to Recycle Aluminum Cans
- When
recycling aluminum cans (or any bottles or jars for that matter), make sure all items areempty, clean and dry . Even one food-covered container in the recycling bin cancontaminate an entire truckload of recyclables. - Recycle the can tab if it’s still attached to the can. If it’s detached, throw the tab away since small pieces can fall through sorting equipment.
- As a general rule,
don’t crush cans before tossing them in the bin because crushing can make it harder for recycling facilities to sort. If your local recycling facility uses a multi- or dual-stream collection (meaning you separate your recyclables by material), it’s probably okay to crush your cans. You can reach out to your local recycling company to check.
Why Recycling Aluminum Cans Matters
Aluminum cans can be recycled over and over again without sacrificing material quality. Unlike other materials like glass and plastic — which are often downcycled into other items, such as a
This
Aluminum at Work
Now that you know how endlessly recyclable aluminum is, why not choose cans whenever you can? The next time you’re grabbing drinks, pick aluminum over plastic or glass. Then rinse and recycle and feel good knowing your can is likely to be back on a store shelf in no time.
To learn more about how we’re contributing to the circular economy with our innovations in recycling, visit our
