Aluminum Can Recycling

Collection of aluminum beverage cans ready for recycling at Arcata Community Recycling Center

Why Recycle Aluminum Cans?

Aluminum cans are one of the most valuable recyclable materials you can bring to the Arcata Community Recycling Center. Recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to make new aluminum from raw bauxite ore, making it one of the most energy-efficient materials to recycle.

Every aluminum can you recycle is back on store shelves as a new can in as little as 60 days. This closed-loop recycling process means aluminum can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, making it a truly sustainable material.

How to Recycle Aluminum Cans

Bring your aluminum cans to our Buyback Scale to receive your California Refund Value (CRV) payment. Cans should be empty and reasonably clean. Crushing cans is optional but saves space during transport. We accept all aluminum beverage cans regardless of brand or condition.

Aluminum cans carry a CRV deposit of 5 cents for containers under 24 ounces and 10 cents for containers 24 ounces or larger. Sort your aluminum cans separately from other recyclables for the fastest processing at our center.