Consumers

What can I recycle?

It's not just cans – deodorants, foil trays and wrapping foil are all made of recyclable aluminium

We're all familiar with drinks can recycling – most councils in the UK now offer a household collection service and the recycling rate for aluminium cans in 2009 hit its highest level ever, at 55 per cent. This figure is set to rise as recycling becomes the norm not just at home, but at work on 'on the go' as well.

But did you know that you can also recycle all the other products that come in aluminium packaging, like empty deodorant, toothpaste and hair care aerosols and food packaging like foil yoghurt lids, pet food trays and ready meal containers?

Most local authorities now collect these materials for recycling, either as part of a regular household collection or through 'bring' banks, like the ones you may have seen at the supermarket. Collections are expanding all the time and if you don't have a doorstep collection, your local council website will direct you to your nearest collection site. Alternatively, you can enter your postcode at the Recycle Now website to find out which materials you can recycle from home and where recycling banks are located in your area.

Recycling tips

Not all packaging that looks like foil actually is – some sweet wrappers and crisp packets are actually metallised plastic film and cannot be recycled as foil.

To check for aluminium, do the 'scrunch' test:

Scrunch the foil in your hand – if it stays squashed it is foil and can be added to your recycling. If it bounces back it is plastic and needs to go in the bin.

Please rinse foil trays before recycling to remove food residue. This reduces smells and prevents other materials in the recycling becoming contaminated and attracting pests. To save water trays can be rinsed at the end of the washing up.

Only recycle empty, used up aerosols. Do not attempt to pierce or squash them. If you can, remove the plastic cap and nozzle; but this is not essential.

Where can I recycle aluminium?