Yes, Peoria Picks Up Recycling

Recycling Cans – How Clean is Clean?

September 25, 2019

Last month in Yes, Peoria Picks Up! – Cans it focused on the many types of metal cans are recyclable. Cans are such great material to recycle because it is recyclable over and over again. Their uses are endless. With every aluminum beverage can recycled, the U.S. EPA estimates it saves enough energy to run a TV for two entire hours. Below there are tips to ensure cans can be part of this endless recyclable life.

Rinse It and Let It Dry

Girl recycling metal cansMost metal cans come from the kitchen which means it had food in it, for example, cat food cans. If they get thrown into the recycling cart without getting rinsed out first, that food and residue will get on the other materials in your cart.

You do not need to fully clean or run it through the dishwasher. Please make sure there are no food chunks or residue on the metal. Once it’s clean, let the metal dry before putting it into your cart. Just like the food and residue can get on the other materials, so can that water.

Leave the Labels On

Many of you may remember that back in the 90’s you had to remove all the labels from your cans. It was never fun at Thanksgiving when there were so many cans! The good news is you don’t need to take the labels off of the metal cans anymore. Those can stay on.

Lids Too

The lids are recyclable too. Whether it’s a large lid from a big pasta sauce can or a small lid from a glass bottle, simply make sure you rinse and dry lids before putting it into your cart.

Don’t Put These Cans into the Cart

  • Aerosol cans
  • Paint cans
  • Anything containing hazardous chemicals or materials

Recycling metal cans are one of the best materials to recycle. Follow these few steps and you’ll be able to keep these recyclables out of the landfill and turned into brand new products in no time.

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