Food, drink and aerosol cans

What types of cans can be recycled?

Cans are usually made of steel or aluminium and we use the term "can" to cover food tins, drinks cans and aerosols. Both steel and aluminium cans can be recycled. These include:

Food cans - these are usually made of steel e.g. baked bean tins, tomato tins
Drinks cans - these are usually made of aluminium - e.g. fizzy drinks and beer cans
Aerosol cans- these can be made of steel or aluminium e.g. deodorant sprays, household polish cans etc. Aerosol cans MUST NOT be squashed.

All of the above are ideal for recycling as the metal can be reprocessed with little deterioration in quality, meaning it can be recycled over and over again.

What cans can't be recycled

Cans of paint

How to recycle your cans

Rinse out your food and drinks cans so they are clean for storing and ready for recycling. You do not need to remove the labels.
Pushed down any metal lids of tins to prevent injury
Remove the plastic top off aerosols but don't squash or puncture the cans or try to remove the spray nozzle
Put your cans in your collection box/bag/bin for recycling or take them to your nearest can bank