Here’s Why You Should Never Crush Aluminum Cans Before Recycling Them

Recycling seems simple enough—rinse, sort, repeat. And if you’ve ever crumpled an aluminum can to save space in your bin, you’re not alone. Crushing those cans feels satisfying, a small act of decluttering while still doing your part for the planet. But here’s the thing: crushing aluminum cans might actually hurt the recycling process more than help it. Sounds counterintuitive, right?

Sorting Systems Rely on Shape Recognition

Modern recycling facilities aren’t as simple as they seem. The process relies on automated sorting systems designed to identify materials by their shape, size, and weight. Whole aluminum cans are easy for these machines to recognize and separate from other recyclables like plastics and glass.

But when you crush a can, you change its shape, making it harder for the equipment to classify it correctly. Crumpled cans often get mistaken for paper or cardboard due to their flatness, which can result in them being misdirected to the wrong processing stream—or worse, sent straight to the landfill.

Mixed Recycling Makes It Even Trickier

If your area uses single-stream recycling (where all recyclables go into one bin), crushed cans can create an even bigger headache. These systems are already prone to cross-contamination, and a flattened aluminum can is far more likely to end up mixed with the wrong materials.

Once that happens, it becomes nearly impossible for the recycling facility to separate the can from paper or plastic without manual intervention—something most plants aren’t equipped to handle at scale. The result? Your well-intentioned recycling efforts could lead to contamination, causing entire batches of recyclable materials to be discarded.

Aluminum's Value Comes from Purity

Aluminum is one of the most valuable recyclable materials—when it’s processed correctly. Recycling aluminum saves up to 95% of the energy needed to create new aluminum from raw materials, making it a powerhouse for sustainability.

However, the key to keeping aluminum recycling efficient is purity. Whole, uncrushed cans are easier to separate and process, ensuring they stay within the correct recycling loop. Flattened cans, however, risk being mixed with non-metal materials, lowering the overall quality of the recycled batch and making it harder to reclaim pure aluminum.

Crushing Cans Is Better for Scrap Metal Recycling—Not Curbside

There’s a notable exception: scrap metal recycling centers. If you’re taking cans directly to a scrap yard, crushing them may actually save space and make transport more efficient. Scrap yards often handle materials differently from municipal recycling facilities, focusing on bulk metal processing rather than fine-tuned sorting. However, for regular curbside recycling programs, the message remains clear: keep those cans whole.