Metal recycling
How to Recycle Aluminum Cans
Beverage cans made of aluminum. One of the most valuable and recyclable materials, with infinite recyclability and exceptional energy savings. Aluminum cans are recycled at a 50%+ rate in the US, making them one of the most successful recycling programs.
RecyclableALUAbout $0.60–$0.70 per pound (roughly $0.64/lb as of June 2026). It takes ~28–32 cans to make a pound, so a full 30-gallon bag (15–20 lbs) is worth about $10–$13.Updated Jun 2026
Quick answer
Yes, aluminum cans are 100% recyclable and pay you back. Empty them (crushing is optional), keep them apart from magnetic steel cans, and use curbside recycling or a scrap yard. Scrap yards pay about $0.64/lb (June 2026), and in the 10 deposit states cans are worth 5–10¢ each.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Recycling code
- ALU
- Typical value
- About $0.60–$0.70 per pound (roughly $0.64/lb as of June 2026). It takes ~28–32 cans to make a pound, so a full 30-gallon bag (15–20 lbs) is worth about $10–$13.
How to Prepare
- 1Empty completely and rinse if sticky
- 2
