Tin and Aluminum Recycling

 

What Is Tin and Aluminum Recycling?

Tin and aluminum recycling involves collecting and processing metal containers—like soda cans, food cans, and foil—so they can be melted down and reused. These metals are infinitely recyclable, meaning they can be reused over and over again without losing quality.

Tin and aluminum cans can be sorted and placed in the appropriate bins. Aluminum is only for beverage cans. Tin is for pet food, vegetable, soup cans, pie tins and aluminum foil (balled up into 2” or greater ball).

🔁 What They Become After Recycling

🥫 Aluminum (like soda cans, foil trays, and some aerosol cans)

Recycled aluminum is used to make:

  • New aluminum cans (can go from bin to shelf in 60 days!)

  • Car parts and airplane components

  • Bike frames

  • Foil and packaging

  • Construction materials

🥫 Tin (actually “tin-plated steel,” used in food cans)

Recycled tin cans become:

  • Rebar, bike parts, and tools

  • New steel cans and construction steel

  • Appliances and industrial parts

♻️ Both metals are 100% recyclable and retain their strength and integrity every time they’re reused.

🌍 Environmental Benefits of Recycling Tin and Aluminum

✅ 1. Saves Energy

  • Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy it takes to make it from raw materials (bauxite ore).

  • Recycling steel (tin cans) saves 60–74% of the energy required to make new steel.

✅ 2. Reduces Mining and Resource Use

  • Reduces the need for bauxite mining (for aluminum) and iron ore mining (for steel), which are energy-intensive and damaging to ecosystems.

✅ 3. Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions

  • Less energy used = fewer carbon emissions.

  • Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a TV for 3 hours.

✅ 4. Reduces Landfill Waste

  • Aluminum and tin don’t break down in landfills.

  • Recycling keeps them in the economy and out of the environment.

✅ 5. Supports Circular Economy and Green Jobs

  • Aluminum is one of the most valuable recyclable materials, creating strong incentives for reuse and job creation in collection and processing.

🧼 How to Recycle Tin and Aluminum Correctly

  • Rinse out cans and containers to remove food residue.

  • Remove labels or plastic lids Place Labels in paper bin and plastic lids into the plastic bin.

  • Flatten aluminum cans to save space (optional).

  • Foil can be recycled if it's clean and bunched into a ball about 2" or larger.

  • Aerosol cans Accepted in tin if empty. If there is any material still in cans they are accepted in our Household Hazardous Waste Program.

⚡ Fun Facts

  • 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.

  • An aluminum can goes from recycling bin to store shelf in about 60 days.

  • Recycling one ton of aluminum saves:

    • 14,000 kWh of energy

    • 10 cubic yards of landfill space

    • 40 barrels of oil