Recycling aluminum cans is one of the easiest ways to reduce landfill waste and have a positive environmental impact. When you return used beverage cans, you provide the raw materials that aluminum products need to be manufactured. This reduces the amount of aluminum that needs to be refined from bauxite ore, which results in a substantial energy savings.
But how many cans are in a pound?
When trying to sell aluminum cans, you can generally assume that 30 to 32 cans will weigh one pound. Variance occurs because some cans (tallboys, stovepipes, and crowlers) are larger, and other aluminum cans (energy drinks and mini cans) are smaller. But, in general, you can use the following formula to determine the weight of your recycled cans:
Number of Cans × .0323
Using this formula, you can calculate the average weight – in pounds – of your aluminum scrap metal. Once you have this number, you can calculate the total price paid for your scrap metal by multiplying it by current scrap prices at your local recycling center. If you’re in Michigan you can simplify the process by taking advantage of our generous bottle deposit laws.
Aluminum recycling has a lot of benefits, and your recycling efforts directly contribute to a better, stronger economy. Because aluminum is infinitely recyclable, new aluminum made with recycled materials is just as strong, just as durable, and just as useful as aluminum refined from ore.
If you’re considering a visit to your local scrap yard, Schupan is here to welcome you. With over five decades of experience, we are Kalamazoo’s go-to recycling center. We are proud to play a crucial role in the local economy, with some of the highest recycling rates in town. Whether you are looking to earn a little extra cash or you want to learn about the circular economy, we’re here to help!
