Crushing aluminum cans is more than just fun—it means the can will take up less space, right? Not so fast—it turns out crushing aluminum cans is actually worse for the environment because it can muck up the sorting process.
“Crushed aluminum cans may fall through the spaces of the sorting equipment and can either be lost entirely or improperly sorted,” Matt Meenan, the senior director of public affairs at the Aluminum Association, recently told Lifehacker. That means crushed cans may end up being sorted as paper or other products, says Meenan, which ends up contaminating the entire batch of recyclables. Keeping cans as intact as possible is best for recycling. Plastic bottles, on the other hand, are best recycled crushed—and with the caps on. Here’s why.
There is an exception to Meenan’s advice, however: If your city or town uses a multi-stream or dual-stream recycling method, you can crush away. Multi-stream means that you separate your recyclables, and since all the cans go together, they can’t contaminate other products.
So, keep the can crushing contests to a minimum going forward, for the sake of the environment.
FAQs
According to Robinson, crushed aluminum cans are harder to sort at some locations, raising the risk of contamination. They're also more prone to falling through gaps in sorting equipment and getting lost.
Why shouldn't you crush aluminum cans for recycling? ›
Martin and the EPA explain that fully crushed, flat and skinny cans are harder to detect when sorting through mixed-stream recycling at recycling facilities. “Small items tend to fall through the screening process and may get lost in the system,” Martin said.
What happens if you crush an aluminum can? ›
Crushed cans lose their unique shape. They can be easily mistaken for a non-recyclable material and get pushed out of the recycling pile. Crushed cans are flat. The sorting machine at the recycling depot can easily confuse them with paper or cardboard.
What happens to the mass of an aluminum can when it is crushed? ›
The mass of an empty aluminum can is unaffected by whether it is crushed or not. It's mass is unaffected.
Is crushing aluminum can a change? ›
Crushing a can and folding a paper, both are examples of a physical change.
Can cans be crushed for a refund? ›
Yes, all containers can be returned for a refund, except for broken glass. Crushed or damaged containers, will receive the full deposit fee refund, as long as they are eligible for return under the container deposit scheme. Broken glass cannot be safely handled and recycled, so it cannot be returned for a refund.
Should I crush my plastic bottles for recycling? ›
However, a challenge arises when it comes to processing plastic bottles before recycling. If you're wondering, "Should plastic bottles be crushed before recycling?" The answer is yes.
Why put soda cans upside down? ›
Dear Heloise: I picked up this idea from one of your faithful readers, about storing cans UPSIDE DOWN. This way, the cans stay clean on top, which means I'm not pouring dust into my recipe, and the contents on the bottom of the can come out easier. -- Vanessa T., Naples, Fla.
How many crushed aluminum cans make a pound? ›
There are about 24 aluminum cans in a pound.
How many pounds does it take to crush an aluminum can? ›
The force required to crush an aluminum can depends on various factors, including the thickness of the can, its size, the type of aluminum used, and the method of crushing. However, a standard aluminum soda can typically requires around 90 pounds (40.8 kilograms) of force to crush it.
Answer and Explanation:
If a can is crushed, the volume definitely decreases by removing the air pocket inside the can. As for the density, since it is the ratio of mass to volume, it will change upon crushing. Since the volume decreases and it is in the denominator, the density of the can increases.
Can you recycle crushed cans in California? ›
When possible, please rinse and drain cans before recycling. Cans with California Redemption Value (CRV) can also be taken to a buyback location. To find one near you, use the search engine found here. Note that it is best not to crush cans before recycling.
How much weight does it take to crush an aluminum can? ›
The force required to crush an aluminum can depends on various factors, including the thickness of the can, its size, the type of aluminum used, and the method of crushing. However, a standard aluminum soda can typically requires around 90 pounds (40.8 kilograms) of force to crush it.
What is a disadvantage of recycling Aluminium cans? ›
One of the biggest disadvantages of recycling aluminum is its need to be separated from steel, plastic, and other debris. When aluminum is continually recycled it loses it quality. So a product made with new aluminum will be of higher quality than the recycled product. The Sorting is time consuming and costs money.
