Do aluminium cans, foil and trays count as scrap aluminium?
Short answer: Yes, aluminium cans, foil and food trays are recyclable aluminium and can be sold as scrap, but because they are thin and light it takes a lot of volume to make a meaningful weight, and they are best kept separate, clean and free of food and other metals, with larger loads going to a buyer and small amounts to a container deposit or recycling collection if one is available.
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List Free →Why volume matters
A few cans weigh almost nothing, so you need a large quantity before the weight is worth a trip.
Keep them clean
Food residue and mixed materials lower the value, so rinse and keep cans and foil apart from other aluminium.
Where small amounts can go
For small quantities, a container deposit scheme or council recycling is often the easiest route.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade is for loads large enough to be worth selling, and buyers quote on cans by weight.
A little sorting goes a long way with aluminium. ScrapTrade connects you with verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.
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