Cans: drink cans and food tins

Drinks cans are manufactured from either aluminium or steel. Only aluminium has any significant financial value for recycling, which should result in payment for the cans you collect. The choice of aluminium or steel varies with the cost of the raw material, the drink manufacturer normally using the current cheaper option. Usually there are more aluminium cans than steel, but depending on the manufacturer, occasionally you may get more steel cans than aluminium.

Food tins are normally made from steel; you are unlikely to be paid for their collection.

Some recyclers state that they do not want steel cans mixed with the aluminium as they do not have a method for separation; at best this will result in a lower price paid for the cans, at worst this will result in loads being refused. If they are not willing to negotiate, or you are not willing to accept a lower price, you will have to ensure that aluminium is kept separate from steel. Whilst it is possible to test with a magnet (steel cans stick, whereas aluminium does not) this is impracticable for a large number of can.

Aluminium cans are one of the items most frequently recycled due to their high scrap value. The price paid by dealers will vary depending on volume, frequency of collection and lack of contamination. The payment you receive should relate to the price of aluminium on the open market. Income from this source (e.g. 40-50 pence per kg) can be directed into a fund for maintaining or enhancing the scheme, for the benefit of the environment or to a charity.
Free information packs with posters together with tips on aluminium can recycling are available from Alupro

Steel cans (mostly food cans but some drinks cans) have little or no value so it may be difficult to locate a recycling outlet.

The Steel Can Recycling Information Bureau provides information and resources.

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Cans: drink cans and food tins

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