I was told to remove labels and wash out the can before smashing it and putting it in the recycle bin. I did that for quite awhile until my cousin, who is an emergency room doctor asked me which was more valuable, the water to wash the can, or the tin recycled.
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When I am out walking, which I do several mornings a week, I pick up any aluminum cans I see. We live in a nice neighborhood and it amazes me the amount of aluminum cans thrown out of cars as litter.
Currently I get 57 cents a pound for aluminum cans. I am not only reducing waste by switching from plastic bottles to cans, but also earning some money.
Where do you start? If you can do nothing else, aluminum beverage cans are a good place to start. Recycling aluminum reduces energy use by 90 to 95%. Energy saved from recycling one aluminum can will run a TV for 3 hours.
This is a page about selling pop tabs. Aluminum pop tabs may have some monetary value if you find a crafter or recycling center that will buy them.