Recycling Facilities Advise Against Crushing Aluminum Cans to Avoid Sorting Issues
Recycling facilities are advising against the common practice of crushing aluminum cans before recycling. While many people believe that flattening cans saves space and is more efficient, it actually poses a problem for sorting machines at recycling plants. These machines rely on the shape of the cans to properly identify and sort them. When cans are crushed, they can be misidentified, leading to perfectly recyclable aluminum being sent to landfills. Additionally, the article highlights other recycling tips, such as ensuring cans are clean and free of liquids to prevent contamination of recyclable batches. It also notes that while removing paper labels from cans is unnecessary, it is crucial for plastic recyclables due to different recycling processes. 
