MetalMatters
It’s never been easier to make your metal matter in West Devon
When it comes to recycling, metal is hard to beat. That’s because it’s endlessly recyclable - every last bit can be turned into something else. It’s a cycle that can go on forever.
The food tins, drink cans and other metal packaging items you recycle at home could end up being transformed into any one of a wide number of new products. From a designer watch or a smartphone, to a washing machine or even a new bus, the possibilities are endless.
Every time metal is recycled it saves energy, cuts greenhouse gas emissions and saves on landfill space – so it’s good news for the planet.
It doesn’t take a lot of effort on your part to make a big difference. All you need to do is drop your cans, empty aerosols, tins and foil in your white recycling sack, not the rubbish bin. It’s as easy as that.
So by recycling your waste metal packaging at home, you can reduce your carbon footprint and prevent valuable materials ending up in landfill.
How is my waste metal transformed?
The empty can you recycle today could be back on the supermarket shelf as another can in as little as 60 days.
Metal packaging is made of either aluminium or steel. At the materials recycling facility, the latest technology is used to separate the different metals before they are baled and sent for reprocessing. The process involves melting the metal; it is then cast into ingots which are sent on for manufacturing. The recycled metal is then used to produce all sorts of everyday items like cameras, irons and kettles, as well as more food tins and cans.
That’s why it’s so important to do your bit – every piece of metal packaging you recycle will be used again and again for years to come. Every time it’s recycled we save energy, cut emissions and reduce landfill areas and costs.
What can I recycle?
All metal is endlessly recyclable.
Please put the following items in your white recycling bag:
- Drink cans
- Food tins
- Biscuit or chocolate tins
- Aerosols (empty)
- Aluminium Foil
- Foil Trays (takeaway trays)
- Aluminium tubes ( e.g. tomato purée)
- Metal lids from jars and bottles
Empty all packaging and rinse clean. Replace bottle lids and tops, and flatten bottles where possible. You can leave labels on all packaging, but place film lids, absorbent pads etc. in your black sack.
Some household metal items cannot be collected with your kerbside recycling, such as those listed above – but they can still be recycled! Please take such metal waste to your nearest Household Waste and Recycling Centre. Find out more on Devon County Council’s website.