How to Make Money with Aluminum Cans

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By moneydoc
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Build up your bank account and help the environment by recycling aluminum cans!

What if you could do something positive for the environment and increase your savings account at the same time? Fortunately, recycling centers across America have made that possible by paying you money to recycle aluminum cans! Although the going rate for aluminum changes daily, you can be assured that there will always be a demand for the aluminum cans that often get tossed in the trash by so many of your local residents. With a little creativity, time and effort, you can build an additional savings account as you recycle aluminum cans each month and help clean the environment! The following steps will provide general guidance to get you started on making money with aluminum cans.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

First, to make money with aluminum cans, you will need to locate and get the phone numbers for your local recycling companies. Make a list of the three nearest recycling companies that accept aluminum cans. You will now want to call each recycling company on the same day and find out which is paying the highest price per pound for aluminum cans. Again, be aware that the price per pound for aluminum fluctuates regularly. The aluminum can recycling company that pays the highest price per pound should be selected as your new "business partner".
Step 2

Now, to make money with aluminum cans, you will need to actually collect the cans. Generally speaking, you can expect that it will take around 30-40 aluminum cans to generate a pound of aluminum. If you want to put forth minimal effort, then you can just collect the aluminum cans used by your family. If you want to make more money and put forth more time and effort, then you will want to look into collecting the aluminum cans from other families and businesses that do not currently recycle. You may consider providing an incentive to the family or business by providing them with 25%-50% of the money you will earn from their cans. However, it is likely that a business or individual will be more than happy to turn over their aluminum cans to you each week without any compensation, as they are pleased to be more environmentally friendly!
Step 3

Once you have collected a reasonable amount of aluminum cans - at least one thousand - take the aluminum cans to your local recycling center and turn them in for cash. Put the cash in a high interest savings account at the bank and watch your profits grow! Keep in mind that if you do not have significant storage room for your aluminum cans, you may want to purchase an aluminum can crusher. An aluminum can crusher will greatly reduce the amount of storage space required.
Step 4

So, how much money can you expect to make for recycling aluminum cans? In the past year, the price per pound you would likely receive from a recycling center has ranged from approximately $0.50 to $1.40. If you average those figures you will come up with $.95 per pound. If you were able collect 40 aluminum cans per day (at least one pound), then you would make $.95 per day. $.95 per day x 365 days per year will give you $346.75 annually. Obviously the more aluminum cans you collect and recycle, the more money you will generate.