Taking aluminum cans to a metal recycling facility will reduce your carbon footprint. That's because these items won't wind up in landfills to deteriorate and release climate-changing carbon dioxide into the air. Instead, they get reused, limiting the amount of harmful greenhouse gas emissions released when new cans are manufactured. However, you should take the following steps to recycle them efficiently.

What to Do Before Recycling Aluminum Cans

1. Look in Your Neighborhood 

Litter is harmful to the environment and local wildlife. Do your part to protect the earth and beautify your surroundings by picking up any discarded aluminum cans you see while walking around the neighborhood. 

When gathering these items, wear rubber gloves or use a grab stick to pick them up. With this approach, you won't get cut on the sharp edges of a cracked can.

2. Wash Out the Inside

Many people don't want to make multiple trips to the metal recycling center each week, so they hold on to the aluminum cans at home until they have a full container or bag. Before storing them, however, remember to wash each one out.

Rinsing the cans will eliminate lingering food and beverage residue and prevent attracting pests to your property. Then, turn the cans upside down to dry. 

3. Crush the Cans

Aluminum cans can quickly take up a lot of space in the recycling bin. Before tossing them out, crush them to create more room in the container. If you don't have the tools to flatten metal, there are still ways to maximize space. Arrange the cans in stacked rows inside the container; they should be standing upright or turned over on the side.

Get rid of aluminum cans properly by visiting T&S Automotive in Thomasville, NC. Since 2000, this family-owned and -operated scrapyard has provided metal recycling services. Besides buying aluminum cans, they purchase junk cars and sell used auto parts. Learn more about the company online, and call (336) 882-7989 to speak with a team member. Get timely news alerts on Facebook.