Cans

All metal food and beverage cans such as pop, beer, soup, vegetable, and tuna can be recycled in all community recycling programs. Aluminum beverage cups are also accepted for recycling. Additionally, small metal tins for items such as tea, coffee, cookies, and biscuits can be included. Metal cans and cups should be empty, clean, and dry before being recycled.

Cans are made from either steel or aluminum. Aluminum cans and aluminum cups you put in your curbside recycling are processed and turned back into new cans and foil that you’ll see on store shelves. Steel cans are recycled into new cans, car parts, and even bridges.

Aluminum cups are an excellent alternative to single-use plastic cups. Aluminum cups are 100% recyclable and can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality. Aluminum cups are available for purchase at many retail locations in Cuyahoga County. See an example of aluminum cups. 

Tips for recycling metal cans and cups:

• Must be empty, clean, and dry before being placed in recycling. 
• Straws must be removed and thrown in the trash. 
• Do not nest or stack items together before recycling.

Aluminum Can Drop-Offs (ACBC)

Some area fire stations collect cans to benefit the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) of Northeast Ohio program. Check with your community for details. 

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity stores have partnered with Novelis to offer free aluminum can drop-offs at their Cleveland and North Randall stores. Use this website's location services or the ‘Select a City’ drop-down in the dark green bar at the top of every page to find a drop-off near you. Additionally, aluminum beverage cans may be turned in for cash at a local scrap yard. 

Cat Food Cans

Generally, lined pet food cans should not be placed in curbside recycling. Pet food cans may not be sorted properly at a materials recovery facility (MRF). Additionally, loose lids from cat food cans are too small to make it through the sorting equipment. To ensure the items are recycled, take clean cat food cans to a scrap metal yard. You may receive a small rebate. A list of options is below.

Other Scrap Metal

Do not include scrap metal in your curbside recycling such as extra large cookie and popcorn tins, car parts, appliances, wire and cord, or other metal objects. These items are dangerous for the workers and the sorting machinery at the materials recovery facility (MRF or recycling plant). Take items to a local scrap yard or a community scrap metal drop-off for residents.

Businesses can recycle metal food and beverage cans through a local company. See the list of Business locations below.

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Looking to recycle, donate, or dispose of other items? Use the dark blue 'What Do I Do With?' search bar at the top of every page of this website. Allow location services or use the city drop-down to find opportunities in your local area.