Recycling Aluminum Pull Tabs

The extra work involved in pulling the tabs off, saving and storing them, taking them to a scrap metal recycler or sending them to a charity is not worth the small value they carry on their own. See our questions below for additional information.

If I pull the tabs off, can't I collect both the deposit and the tab value?

The extra work involved in pulling the tabs, saving and storing them, taking them to a scrap metal dealer or sending them to a charity, is not worth the small value they carry on their own. Some collection programs have suggested mailing tabs in but the postage alone costs more than the tabs inside are worth. In addition, aluminum processors have difficulty dealing with loose tabs; aluminum cans are baled for easy handling and shipment whereas tabs need to be packed in cartons and shipped separately. Separating the tabs from the cans makes the whole recycling process more complex and expensive.