Many communities throughout the country now offer a recycling service for your aluminum cans or glass bottles. You simply toss the cans into a recycling bin every week, and then put it out with the trash to be picked up. But while recycling is important for the environment, did you know you might be leaving money on the table by just sending those cans off to the local borough instead of selling them to a recycling center?
Instead of putting your aluminum cans into that recycling bin, why not stash them away until you are ready to take your haul to someone who will pay you top dollar? Often, a recycling center or other distribution center will pay a small amount for each can you bring to them. To that end, here's how you ensure a nice payout when you take your cans to the local recycling center.
Properly Clean Each Can
If you are going to hold onto your aluminum cans for a month or longer so you can build up a big stash to sell, make sure each can is properly cleaned before you actually toss it into a bin or garbage bag. Liquids like soda and other beverages will leave a sugary residue behind, and this could easily attract insects and other pests if you are not careful.
You don't want to open up that garbage bag on the day you plan to go to the recycling center and find a massive infestation. Your local recycling center will likely not accept the cans if there are insects and other creepy crawlies inside.
Crush Each Can to Maximize Space
Aluminum cans can easily be crushed to a fraction of the size that they are off the shelf. Once the can is empty, there's no reason to keep that can standing upright. Putting a can into your bin or garbage bag without crushing it is essentially wasting space. You'll either fill up the garbage bag far too soon or end up with multiple bags or bins taking over your space.
Crushing each can will allow you to fit more aluminum into each bag or bin and that in turn will lead to a higher payout for you when you go to the recycling center. If you crush the cans, they are also a less appealing space for pests or insects.
Clean Up Your Neighborhood
Just saving up your own aluminum cans to sell is one way to make a little extra money, but what if you really want to maximize your profit? One way you could easily find more aluminum to sell is to go on a can picking expedition through your local neighborhoods. You can look for aluminum on the side of the road to add to your personal stash.
Just be sure that each can is clean before you put it into the pile, and of course, always be careful when picking up anything on the side of the road. Use gloves or a picking tool to make initial contact with the can. You don't want to risk getting cut on broken aluminum or glass.
Don't just give your aluminum cans away to the local free recycling service. Crush and stash your cans until you've built up a decent number, and then take your haul to a local recycling center for a nice payday.
Bruce Metal & Salvage prides itself on helping you make recycling your scrap easy and profitable. We've served the Santa Ana area for more than 30 years. We'll pay top dollar for aluminum, brass, copper, and many other types of materials.
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today for more information.
