Aluminum & Metal Recycling

Metal is one of the most valuable materials that can be recycled. Unlike many other materials, metals can be recycled repeatedly without losing their strength or quality. Recycling aluminum, steel, and other metals conserves natural resources, saves energy, and reduces the need for mining and manufacturing new materials.

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Recycling aluminum is especially beneficial because manufacturing new aluminum from recycled material uses approximately 95% less energy than producing it from raw bauxite ore. Steel recycling also saves significant amounts of energy and natural resource​

What Cannot be Recycled?

Some metal items are not accepted through standard recycling programs and should be managed through specialized recycling or Household Hazardous Waste programs.

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Do NOT place the following in recycling unless specifically accepted:

 ✗ Propane cylinders

 ✗ Fire extinguishers

 ✗ Paint cans containing wet paint

 ✗ Batteries

 ✗ Electronics

 ✗ Appliances containing refrigerants

 ✗ Motor oil containers with residual oil

 ✗ Pressurized gas cylinders

Preparing Metal for Recycling

Preparing metal properly helps improve recycling efficiency:

• Empty all food and beverage containers.

• Rinse cans to remove food residue.

• Remove food scraps from aluminum foil and trays.

• Flatten aluminum cans only if requested by your recycling program.

• Separate scrap metal from household trash whenever possible.

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Large scrap metal items may need to be taken directly to a transfer station or scrap metal recycler

Metal Recycling in the Lake Region

Residents are encouraged to recycle aluminum cans, steel food containers, and scrap metal whenever possible. However, not every county within the Lake Region accepts the same types of metals for recycling. ​​Additional details are available on each of the county pages: Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, Linn, Miami, Osage, and  Shawnee.