We manufacture metal products using naturally occurring minerals found deep in the earth’s crust. Harvesting these minerals takes time, energy, and uses up a limited resource. Recycling metal products helps offset these costs. For example, manufacturing a new aluminum can from recycled aluminum takes only 5% of the energy it would take to manufacture the same can from raw materials. There are many different types of metal that have been recycled for a long time. Scrapyards often accept copper, aluminum, brass, and steel. These yards can be found in almost every community in Michigan, as metal retains its value over time.

Common household recyclables include:

• Aluminum beverage cans
• Aluminum foil
• Tin/steel food cans
• Tin/steel aerosol cans
• Other household metal, i.e. old pots and pans

For years, the steel manufacturing process has required recycled steel to produce new steel products. Additionally, aluminum can be recycled many, many times without losing structure or quality, and are often back on the shelf within a few months of being put in your recycling bin. Watch this video about how aluminum cans are recycled:

The easiest way to recycle aluminum beverage cans in Michigan is by returning them to your local grocer to get your deposit back for recycling. All of these types of metals and other bulky metals can be recycled in most Michigan communities. Call your local recycling contact for information about metal recycling.