Don't Crush Aluminum Cans: It might seem like a good idea to crush aluminum cans before recycling them, but crushed cans do not go through the system very well. That can depend on how...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It might seem like a good idea to crush aluminum cans before recycling them, but crushed cans do not go through the system very well. That can depend on how the cans are processed, though - but how many of us are familiar with local recycling systems?

https://lifehacker.com/dont-crush-cans-before-recycling-them-1833374490
https://www.rd.com/article/dont-crush-aluminum-cans-before-recycling/

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Interesting.
My recycler does not want bottle caps....
I've never seen a recycle number on them either. Rx caps do have a number on them.
If an item has no number on it I do not recycle it.
Nor do I recycle grease contaminated pizza boxes. Maybe the lid if it is clean.
I also rinse any leftover food out of containers.
A "contaminated" batch is simply sent to the landfill. I'm sure there is a certain level of "acceptable" contamination though, but "I" won't add to it!.

I suppose it depends on the recycler, not overall in general!

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

As far as I know, the only aluminium cans I get are deposit cans. I don't crush them because the machine that redeems them needs to read the bar code. Once accepted, the can is shredded in the machine.

therwol Loc: USA

jerryc41 wrote:

It might seem like a good idea to crush aluminum cans before recycling them, but crushed cans do not go through the system very well. That can depend on how the cans are processed, though - but how many of us are familiar with local recycling systems?

https://lifehacker.com/dont-crush-cans-before-recycling-them-1833374490
https://www.rd.com/article/dont-crush-aluminum-cans-before-recycling/

I don't put my cans out for the county to pick up. I crush them, put them in a plastic bag or two, and take them pre-sorted to an independent recycler about once a year where I'm paid by weight. Pays for lunch.

5 years ago, I lived in a place where people would roam around looking for cans and bottles in the recycle bins left out by the street. Not putting out aluminum cans would increase the likelihood that your bin would not be dumped out, though people would still take a peek. Mostly this would be disheveled, possibly homeless people, but look at this guy I took pictures of in front of my house. I purposely won't show pictures of his face or his license plate numbers, which I got. I reported him to the county the first time with those pictures. He showed up 10 months later wearing a hoodie and driving a different vehicle. I reported him again. These pictures were taken through a window, and it was a bit dirty the second time.

(Download)

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

jerryc41 wrote:

It might seem like a good idea to crush aluminum cans before recycling them, but crushed cans do not go through the system very well. That can depend on how the cans are processed, though - but how many of us are familiar with local recycling systems?

https://lifehacker.com/dont-crush-cans-before-recycling-them-1833374490
https://www.rd.com/article/dont-crush-aluminum-cans-before-recycling/

Our local trash collector/recycler dumps the bins of cans in a compactor truck and they run the compactor when the truck is getting full. Apparently they are more interested in keeping the cost of collection down vs the ease of processing recyclables.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DirtFarmer wrote:

As far as I know, the only aluminium cans I get are deposit cans. I don't crush them because the machine that redeems them needs to read the bar code. Once accepted, the can is shredded in the machine.

Right. Even water bottles get us $0.05 back here.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

therwol wrote:

I don't put my cans out for the county to pick up. I crush them, put them in a plastic bag or two, and take them pre-sorted to an independent recycler about once a year where I'm paid by weight. Pays for lunch.

I know a guy in NH (a non-deposit state) who saved cans and any other metal and cashed it in. He used the money to build a concrete block foundation for his garage.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

Nor do I recycle grease contaminated pizza boxes. Maybe the lid if it is clean.
I also rinse any leftover food out of containers.

Our town recycling center accepts cardboard and plastic, but pizza boxes and plastic food containers (clam shells) are garbage, and we pay to get rid of them.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

jerryc41 wrote:

Our town recycling center accepts cardboard and plastic, but pizza boxes and plastic food containers (clam shells) are garbage, and we pay to get rid of them.

Ours does not take Styrofoam containers, but they do take the recycle marked plastic take-out containers (black with clear lids). I DO wash them first!!! They take the pizza cardboard if not all greasy & yucky, which is not common. I might cut the lid off to recycle it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Longshadow wrote:

Ours does not take Styrofoam containers, but they do take the recycle marked plastic take-out containers (black with clear lids). I DO wash them first!!! They take the pizza cardboard if not all greasy & yucky, which is not common. I might cut the lid off to recycle it.

Our food cans have to be washed. I never thought I'd see the day when I had to wash garbage.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Here are some more interesting recycling facts and two observations:
1. Number of states that imported more than 1 million tons of MSW: 8 (IL, IN, MI, OH, OR, PA, VA and WI) - Source- https://www.waste360.com/mag/waste_
So please tell me again why I recycle in Virginia. We are second only to Pa. in "imported waste". Also, our recycling center only a very few "numbers".
2. The folks driving the SUV and van in the pics are probably spending more on gas, and maintenance than they are making by stealing recycling materials.
3. While washing out recycling materials may keep the insect/rodent invasion at bay it will also contribute to the water $hortage and add to the co$t of $ewage and municipal proce$$ing cost$ in most areas. you do use soap to clean those recyclables, don't you?
4. Like Pogo sez, "We have met the enemy, and it is us."
JimmyT Sends

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I remember a Seinfeld episode in which Kramer was bring a truckload of cans from a non-deposit state back to NY.

JoeBiker Loc: homebase: Houston, TX

I crush mine in Texas, no problem, but I turn them into the city and don't get money for them. I wouldn't have room for them in my garage if I didn't crush them.

But, in Louisiana, a friend of mine sells them, and they won't accept them if they are crushed (they say it is because they don't want people putting rocks in them and crushing them to hold the rocks in... seems like a lot of work to me). He loads up a trailer full, and after they process/verify them, they give him his money.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Jimmy T wrote:

Here are some more interesting recycling facts and... (show quote)

Picking from trash that has been set out on the curbside for disposal isn't stealing. There's a big difference between rinsing and washing. I know of no one who uses soap when rinsing their recyclables that need rinsing, no one. As for contributing to water shortages and sewage costs and municipal costs, what do you think uses more water, a quick rinse of recyclables or flushing a toilet after only peeing in it?!
I can't speak for all SUV owners but my Chevrolet SUV gets well over 30 mpg and has been quite economical to operate and service.
No, I don't dumpster dive. I have no reason to, and I don't have a problem with those who do as long as they don't make a mess.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rmorrison1116 wrote:

Picking from trash that has been set out on the curbside for disposal isn't stealing.

According to TV shows, police can use evidence that was taken from the garbage.