There are still many question marks around the topic of recycling, because the guidelines differ not only from city to city, but even from municipality to municipality within the same city. In short, recycling is confusing. A material that many still seem to be very The question is how to recycle aluminum foil and if it is even recyclable.
First of all, you’ll be happy to know that aluminum foil is actually recyclable, so you won’t be making any wishcycling error when you put it in your recycling bin.
But where you might go wrong (and you probably are) is the form in which you put it in the trash. We don’t blame you because until now we have made the same mistake. And frankly, we’re blown away after hearing what the experts had to say on the matter.
How to Recycle Aluminum Foil
(Image credit: EKO Home)
Despite its thin and fragile appearance, aluminum foil is one of them. household items you may not know can be recycled. But what’s even more shocking is the shape it must be shaped into to be effectively recyclable.
“Not everyone may know that aluminum foil can be recycled with other tin products,” says Dr Adam Read, director of external affairs and sustainability at SUEZ recycling and recovery United Kingdom. “And the best way to recycle aluminum foil is to crush it into a ball before placing it in your recycling bin.”
What?! This is brand new information.
(Image credit: Getty Images/Liyao Xie)
He continues: “This method of creasing makes it easier for the machines at our materials recycling facilities to sort and the size of your foil ball is crucial to the machines at our facility; anything too small can be considered waste. Essentially, the larger your aluminum ball, the more easily it can be sorted for recycling.
But there is a minimum size that an aluminum ball must have: that of a tennis ball.
“You can increase the size of the ball over time and when it reaches the size of a tennis ball it can be put into recycling,” explains Andrew Haydon, director of Just plastic. “This improves its efficiency during the recycling process and conserves valuable resources.”
According to Dr. Adam, folding your foil into a ball actually serves more than one purpose. “Creasing is also a good indicator of whether your shiny packaging is foil or plastic wrap. If you scrunch the wrapper in your hand and it stays in a ball, it’s recyclable aluminum foil; if it bounces, throw it in your trash.
This is another one to add to your many kitchen trash ideas.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)
FAQs
Can aluminum foil be recycled?
Yes, aluminum foil is widely recycled in most parts of the UK.
“Currently, foil and trays are widely recycled and accepted for recycling by many local authorities,” says Dr Adam.
Does aluminum foil go in the trash?
Yes, aluminum foil can go in the trash. Aluminum foil should be placed in your household recycling bin in the form of a ball the size at least as big as a tennis ball.
You learn something new every day: today it’s all about how to recycle aluminum foil correctly. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
