How to Recycle Pop Cans
According to RecycleNRV.com, more than 80 billion soda cans are used annually, and they can last for 500 years if they are thrown into a landfill. Dropping cans into your local recycling bin is the best thing to do if you can't find any other uses for them, or you can earn some pocket change by collecting them for scrap metal. But finding a second life for cans is even better because it saves the energy it takes to transport them to recycling centers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Give the cans to craftspeople or use them to make your own projects. Companies like AluminousPublishing.com publish e-books on how to make items like purses, ornaments and wreaths out of the cans and their pull tabs. You can also make your own artwork out of them, such as sculptures and wall hangings.
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Donate them to charity. CansForCharity.org takes the deposits you collect for aluminum cans and donates them to other organizations. It is trying to help such groups as Little Brothers---Friends of the Elderly, which supports the aged, and Shattuck Shelter for the homeless.
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Make ashtrays to give a good second life to soda cans. CutOutAndKeep.net details how to cut the top third off of a can and discard it and then cut the remaining portion into strips, flatten them, and bend and fold them over each other so they form an edge to hold a cigarette. Ashtrays are good for when you have a party or for restaurants and bars to use to create a stylish look.
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Make them into candleholders. Cut the cans in half so the top and the bottom each form a cup, and set tea lights or votive candles inside of them. These are convenient to keep on hand in case of a blackout and for lighting candles outdoors as they provide a sturdy container.
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Turn them into aluminum siding. Ambitious people who like major do-it-yourself projects can take a cue from Instructables.com by cutting the cans lengthwise through the middle, hammering them flat into a die to form an even shape and then securing them to whatever building they choose. They can be used for the roof or sides of any structure, such as sheds, playhouses or even your own home.
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Tips & Warnings
The number one way to reduce the number of cans you have to recycle is to cut down on your usage. Eliminate soda or reduce how much you drink, and purchase it in two-liter bottles instead of individual servings.
