One of those simple lifestyle adjustments that can make a big difference is recycling cans. Time and again we hear from new folks who wish they’d started years ago. All it takes is a minute or two each week and its easy to set up. You’ll even save some cash and help out the environment.
Getting Started with Recycling Cans. It all boils down to four basic decisions. First, where are you going to keep your cans at home? Then theres the frequency: how often do you want to bring them in? What type of cans do you want to gather? And finally, where are you going to take them? We can help with all of these.
Most people start with where are they going to put them. A clean bin in the garage, cellar, or back porch is the easiest solution. Anything that keeps the cans out of the way and keeps any lingering odours from attracting bugs works a treat. Some people like using cardboard boxes or heavy duty trash bags. The main thing is to have a designated spot for empties and not just leave them piling up on the counter.
Before you store them, give them a quick rinse. You dont have to scrub them, just get any remaining liquid off with a swish under the tap and shake them out. If youre recycling steel food cans too, same rules apply. A quick rinse keeps them clean and tidy.
After that its a question of how often you want to bring them in. Some families bring them in every week or so, others leave them for a month or two. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. It just depends on your household and whats most practical. If you’re storing a lot at home, it can get a bit cluttered.
The third choice is what type of cans to collect. And it turns out that aluminium can be a better bet than steel. Most beers and sodas are in aluminium cans and they pay out more per pound. Steel cans are still recyclable but they pay less and lots of people just put them in the weekly bin. Leave the steel cans for the regular collection and focus on aluminium if you want to get the best deal.
The final question is where to take them. In Davenport, you can get 5 cents back for every can you bring in at a designated redemption location. If you’ve got a lot of cans that don’t have a deposit or if you’re bringing in a big load, selling them by weight at a recycling yard can be a better option. We can give you the current rate, weigh them in front of you and pay you on the spot. You’ll need to bring your car and some id for the bigger incentives.
But there are a few other things that can make the process even simpler. If you want to save space, you can crush the cans. But the pay out will stay the same. Keeping different metals separate will also speed up the process. And if you want to use recycling to raise some cash for a local school, church or sports team, just give us a call.
The first time can take a bit longer as you get used to the process. But after that, its quick in and out in less than ten minutes for lots of our regulars.
So thats the basic of recycling cans in Davenport. Choose a spot to keep them, work out a routine, focus on aluminium and pick a yard with good rates. For many of our local clients, Eco Way Recycle is the yard of choice. And we’d be happy to help you get started too.