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Is recycling aluminum cans really worth the time and effort? It may not be the best way to become a millionaire, but it’s certainly a great way to contribute to a greener lifestyle, and it can help you save each month.

Depending on consumption habits and location, there is an opportunity to earn a few extra bucks by recycling aluminum cans. It can lead to better long-term money habits as well as contribute to the offset of negative environmental consequences.

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A question people may ask is, “Where are the places for aluminum can recycling near me?” Luckily, these locations are fairly common. The places consumers can recycle aluminum cans to earn money include:

It’s generally more efficient to collect large amounts of aluminum cans before bringing them for recycling in order to ensure the trip is worthwhile. A good strategy is to have a designated bin at home for aluminum can recycling or a storage area such as the garage where cans will be collected for eventual redemption.

This is often the most popular place for consumers to trade in aluminum cans for cash. There are hundreds of recycling centers located across the U.S., so there’s likely to be one a short trip away.

Similar to recycling centers, scrap metal companies will almost always accept aluminum cans that are up to standard. Aluminum is one of the most recycled materials in the entire world, so it’s always worthwhile for these businesses to get their hands on more of it.

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Many grocery stores will also accept and reward consumers for returning aluminum cans. This can be one of the most efficient ways to recycle and earn from a collected take of cans, as it can often coincide with a trip for groceries anyway.

The iScrap app locates the nearest scrap metal yard to a user’s location. It takes the hassle out of finding where the best-priced location is for trading in cans for cash. This option is best suited for large quantities of cans of a high standard. It is also likely the best option for consumers who don’t want to drain their gas tank and eat into any profits gained.

The above locations where consumers can sell aluminum cans often come with some conditions to the purchase. This may involve washing each can thoroughly as well as crushing them. This process ensures the cans are up to an acceptable standard for the party buying the metal. It also deters unwanted bacteria, insects and rodents.

Aluminum is a precious metal that is not only used for cans but for many mass-produced items globally. This includes, but is not limited to, cars, airplanes, foils, kegs, kitchen utensils and construction materials.

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Technically, there is no limit to how much can be earned from recycling aluminum cans, as they are infinitely recyclable. However, it often works better as a side project that supports sustainability rather than as a method to earn a wheelbarrow full of cash.

Typically, recyclers in the U.S. can expect aluminum can prices to hover around $0.64, on average, per pound of cans. However, as the table below will illustrate, the monetary reward will mostly depend on location.

The value of aluminum cans varies from state to state. California, Mississippi and Wyoming offer some of the best rates, whereas Delaware and New York offer some of the lowest monetary returns. 

To isolate the states with the best rates, the below table compiles the average rate U.S. citizens can expect to earn per pound. This is based on recycling centers in the regions where the data is currently available.

The best ways to find aluminum cans to recycle are often just by looking at what’s in front of our faces. Some of the best places to source cans include:

Hosting a summer BBQ or a big sporting event? A great way to make money back on the party groceries can be to clean and set aside all of the empty aluminum cans that resulted. Neighbors, family and friends in the surrounding areas may also be willing to hand over any cans that were ready to be thrown in the garbage.

Public parks will often have empty cans littered all over the place. Heading out with a trash bag to collect them will help keep local areas clean while adding to your stash.

Festivals and beverages go hand in hand, so the grounds can be a great area to source a lot of cans during an event.

People love to take a break during the workday to grab a cold beverage from the vending machine. Collectors can check with their employer for permission to take the cans home, and then they can redeem them for cash at one of the acceptable locations.

Recycling aluminum cans is a brilliant way to reduce a consumer’s carbon footprint while also earning a little bit of money on the side. It likely isn’t all that worthwhile as a side hustle from home, but it can make extra money fast to add to your wallet each month.

Information is accurate as of June 13, 2022.

Our in-house research team and on-site financial experts work together to create content that’s accurate, impartial, and up to date. We fact-check every single statistic, quote and fact using trusted primary resources to make sure the information we provide is correct. You can learn more about GOBankingRates’ processes and standards in our editorial policy.

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