Why Aluminum Is So Valuable
Producing primary aluminum (from bauxite ore) is enormously energy-intensive — it requires massive amounts of electricity and generates significant CO₂. Recycled aluminum requires only 5% of that energy, making it economically and environmentally compelling to recycle.
Aluminum also retains its properties through infinite recycling cycles. A can recycled today can be back on a store shelf in as little as 60 days. The industry calls this the 'closed loop' — one of recycling's greatest success stories.
What Gets Accepted
Nearly all recycling centers accept: aluminum beverage cans (the most common), aluminum foil and foil trays (clean), aluminum pie pans and take-out containers, and aluminum aerosol cans (empty).
Larger items like aluminum gutters, window frames, and auto parts go to scrap metal recyclers rather than standard drop-off centers. Many scrap yards pay cash for aluminum by the pound.
How to Prepare Aluminum
Cans: rinse out, crush if you wish (saves space in your bin). Foil: rinse off food residue, ball up to at least 2 inches across so it doesn't fall through sorting screens. Take-out containers: rinse, stack, and crimp together.
Don't mix aluminum with other metals — it's worth more as a separate stream. Many drop-off centers have dedicated aluminum bins.
Getting Paid for Aluminum
Unlike most recyclables, aluminum is valuable enough that many states have bottle deposit programs paying 5–10 cents per can. Some scrap metal dealers buy aluminum by the pound — prices fluctuate but typically range from 50 cents to over a dollar per pound for clean cans.
If you accumulate large quantities, a scrap metal dealer may be more lucrative than a standard drop-off center. Use the search tool on this site to find scrap metal recyclers near you.