Steel cans are most commonly used as paint containers, aerosol cans, and food packaging. Most Australians can recycle steel cans in their household recycling bin. The recycled cans are reprocessed into new things like cans, railway tracks, and car parts.
Steel Cans
About Steel Can Recycling
- Steel is one of the world's most recycled products and is 100% recyclable
- Making steel from recycled cans uses 75% less energy than when producing steel from raw materials
- 17.5 million steel cans are recycled each week in Australia - this is equivalent to the amount of steel needed to build 900 family sedans
Source: The Steel Can Recycling Council - Cansmart
How to recycle your steel cans
- Use a magnet to check if it's steel. If it sticks, it is steel
- Empty the can and take the lid completely off
- Place any loose metal lids, including jam jar lids and bottle tops, inside the can
- Squeeze can at the top to save space in your recycling bin or crate and also to stop possible contaminants from getting into the can
Source: The Steel Can Recycling Council - Cansmart
