How to Sell Aluminum Cans

Do you have a pile of soda or other beverage cans lying around? Have you thought about selling them for their aluminum value but don't know where to start? Follow the tips below to pocket a few extra bucks from your old soda cans.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cans
• Transportation

1. Prepare your cans for easy transportation. Plastic garbage bags, trash cans, and barrels all work great for this function. Gather all the cans together in anything that is easy to carry.
2. Check the yellow pages for a recycler. Look under 'recycling' or 'recycling services' to locate one in your area. Call and ask if they buy aluminum cans. If so, ask the price per pound. If you are lucky enough to have more than one in your listings, call around and see which one is paying the most.
3. Take your cans to the recycler. Usually, they will ask you to drive onto a scale. After you dump the cans, you drive back on the scale and the difference in weight is the amount you are paid. Some may simply weigh your containers with and without the cans. Either way, you are going to receive cash or a check for your soda cans.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best to have several pounds of cans before cashing them in. It makes it more worth your time to take a large group.
• Another way to find more cans is to offer your service as a recycler. You can pay individuals for their cans at a lower price than what you receive from the recycler. Many people would be very happy to have this door-step service.
• Never try to overload your containers with rocks or other foreign material before taking them to the recycler. It's unethical and can get you into trouble.