Metal recycling
How to Recycle Steel Cans
Food cans made of steel with a thin tin coating. Magnetic and highly recyclable through nearly every curbside program.
Check local acceptanceFELow per can but steady: scrap steel/tin cans (light iron) pay roughly $0.06-$0.08 per pound at current scrap-yard boards (August 2026). The real win is free curbside recycling, which keeps an endlessly-recyclable metal in circulation.Last reviewed July 30, 2026
Quick answer
Yes, steel (tin) food cans are 100% recyclable and accepted in almost every curbside program. Rinse them, leave the label on (it burns off during processing), and tuck the lid inside. Steel is magnetic, which is how recyclers sort it, and it can be recycled endlessly with no loss of quality.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Recycling code
- FE
- Typical value
- Low per can but steady: scrap steel/tin cans (light iron) pay roughly $0.06-$0.08 per pound at current scrap-yard boards (August 2026). The real win is free curbside recycling, which keeps an endlessly-recyclable metal in circulation.
How to Prepare
- 1Empty completely and rinse to remove food residue
- 2