Aluminum can recycling is one of the best deals in recycling. The Aluminum Association says recycled aluminum saves 95 percent of the energy needed to make new aluminum.
How often cans get recycled
The US EPA reported a 50.4 percent recycling rate for beer and soft drink cans in 2018.
Across all aluminum containers and packaging, the 2018 rate was 34.9 percent.
A slipping rate
The Aluminum Association says the can recycling rate has fallen below 50 percent in recent years.
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Easy wins
Empty cans and put them in the bin. Where your state has a deposit, return them for the refund.
The fine print
The EPA figures are from 2018, and the Aluminum Association does not give a year for its recent figure.
Why it matters
Every can that gets recycled can become a new can, using a fraction of the energy.
Try it yourself
Think you know your bins? Play Sort It Right, our free recycling game.
Tell us what you are building and what changed. Our newsroom reads every submission.
Submit your companySources: US EPA aluminum data, The Aluminum Association.
Key takeaways on aluminum can recycling
Here is the short version on aluminum can recycling. The US EPA reported a 50. Across all aluminum containers and packaging, the 2018 rate was 34. The Aluminum Association says the can recycling rate has fallen below 50 percent in recent years. Empty cans and put them in the bin. The EPA figures are from 2018, and the Aluminum Association does not give a year for its recent figure. Every can that gets recycled can become a new can, using a fraction of the energy. Think you know your bins? Sources: US EPA aluminum data, The Aluminum Association.
Use these points on aluminum can recycling as a starting point, check the numbers against your own home or business, and share what you learn with someone who can use it.
