Can I Recycle Aluminum Foil?

You may wonder why we can’t just recycle aluminum foil like we do with soda cans or other aluminum products. After all, they’re all made from the same material, right? Well, that’s where things get tricky.

The good news is that approximately 75% of all the aluminium ever produced is still in productive use today. About 60% of the aluminum produced in the U.S. is recycled, which requires 90% less electricity than virgin aluminum products made from bauxite ore, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.

That’s good news, because mining aluminum can pollute the environment. Aluminum comes from bauxite ore, which is found close to the earth’s surface in Australia, Brazil, and India. It’s extracted using relatively-shallow open-pit mining, which involves clearing large amounts of land and destroying natural ecosystems along the way. Turning this ore into aluminum and eventually foil involves using large amounts of energy, generating high volumes of greenhouse emissions, as well as a range of chemicals to refine the mineral.

Myth #1: Aluminum Foil Can’t be Recycled

Aluminum is one of the highest-value materials you can recycle, and it can be reprocessed into new aluminum in just 60 days. Recycling is a critical part of the modern aluminum business and it’s one of the most recycled materials.

Making recycled aluminum only takes around 5% of the energy needed to make new aluminum — reducing carbon emissions and saving money for businesses and end consumers. Stanford University reports that recycling one ton of aluminum saves 14,000 kWh of electricity, enough to light a 100-watt light bulb for 140,000 hours.

A significant portion of aluminium, even in thin aluminium foil and flexible packaging, is recoverable as aluminium metal from the bottom ashes of trash burned in incinerators! A minimum of 40% of the thin aluminium foil is available for recovery with this percentage increasing up to 80% for the thicker gauges of aluminium in packaging.

Myth #2: All Waste Companies Recycle Foil

The biggest deciding factor in whether you can recycle aluminum foil is actually where you live — because it’s your local processing facility that has (or doesn’t have) the technology to take on lightly soiled aluminum foil.

You can search the very cool Recycling Locator on Earth911 to see what the rules are in your area or look on your county’s website (most are very clear about what they recycle). Up to 90% of aluminum cans and foil distributed in states with aggressive recycling programs are processed but other states average only 35%, according to Boston Consulting Group.

Just because foil is recyclable in one city doesn't mean it extends to every other city in that state, though. For instance, foil is recyclable in Atlanta, but not in Marietta, Georgia; similarly, it's recyclable in Fairfax, Virginia, but not Richmond.

Contamination with food residue also reduces its recyclability. The one thing everyone can agree on is that, when foil is recyclable, it must be clean and free of food residue. So rinse it clean of any food debris before putting it in the recycling bin. Otherwise, most recycling centers won't be able to accept it as foil contaminated with food or grease residue can contaminate other recyclables during the recycling process.

Once you have your foil clean, create your recycling ball - a minimum of 2 inches in diameter. If sheets of aluminum foil catch a breeze, they can blow away easily. Single, small balls of aluminum foil can tear and get caught in the machinery at the processing center.

For example, The Tennessean reports that when it comes to foil or aluminum baking trays, there is "not enough aluminum in it to recycle." However, in Houston and El Paso it is encouraged to put aluminum trays and foil in the recycling bin.

Myth #3: All Aluminum Foil is Equal

If foil is combined with other materials — such as in drink boxes, candy wrappers, and yogurt tops — and you can’t separate it, you’ll need to throw it away. Foil mixed with other materials, known as a composite, is considered recycling contamination because it cannot be broken down into its component elements with current technology.

Another layer (quite literally) is composition; sometimes, what seems like pure aluminum foil has a coating of plastic or other materials for added strength or heat resistance, which makes recycling far more complicated because these hybrids cannot undergo the same process as pure metal would need to be recycled separately from one another.

Aluminum foil comes in various forms, each with its own recycling potential. Heavy-duty foil used for baking or grilling is generally recyclable, while thinner, decorative foil often used for wrapping food is not. Checking for specific recycling guidelines in your area is essential.

Myth #4: Aluminum Foil Cannot be Reused

While recycling is great, reusing that foil is even better!

If you’re going to clean it, why not use it again? Just flatten it out again and use it to cover a pan or dish. You can also add it around the edges of pie crusts to keep them from burning.

Sharpen scissors. Fold up a piece of aluminum foil into several layers and cut through it several times with a pair of dull scissors to sharpen the blades. You will end up with sharper blades in your scissors.

Clean the grill or your oven. Ball up some aluminum foil, add baking soda, and use it like a wire brush to scrub the gunk left after grilling. A bonus point is that it will also remove rust from chrome and steel. You can also use it to clean silverware and jewelry.

Crafts. Give foil to your kids to create fun projects, from origami to DIY masks to anything else they can imagine.

Deter Garden Pests. If you put collars of the foil around a plant’s base or hand it in strips in your garden, it will help keep the birds, insects, and other animals away. All you have to do is wrap a foil strip around the plant’s base stem to prevent insects from crawling up.

Toys. If you have kids in your house, you can challenge the little ones to shape and then re-shape the foil to make it into metallic toys, such as robots, sailor hats, balls, spaceships, hot rods, etc. This will not only support reusing the foil but also force your child to use their imagination and create unusual toys for themselves. What’s more is that the toy can be reshaped and made into another one.

Ironing. For improved ironing and flattening those adamant wrinkles, all you have to do is place a foil sheet under the ironing board cover. The foil reflects the iron’s temperature, heating the cloth from the bottom, and removing the wrinkles more effectively.

Re-Glue Vinyl Tiles. At times, self-stick vinyl tiles loosen as their glue reacts to fluctuations in temperature or moisture. If you have a loose tile, place aluminium foil above it and then iron it using the normal iron. The iron may burn the tile in the absence of foil. By ironing the tile, the glue will melt and the tile will stick again. Put books or heavy weight over it or fasten it with tape until it cools and it should stuck firmly in place..

While Painting. If you are painting your house or anything, use foil instead of duct tape on fixtures and doorknobs to protect them from dripping paint. You can use crumpled foil as well to add texture while you are painting a wall.

Reduce Static Cling. Make a two-inch tight ball from the used foil and toss it in the dryer with the wet clothes. This will help eliminate the annoying static cling.

Options Beyond Aluminum Foil

Embrace reusables: Invest in reusable beeswax wraps, silicone containers, or even cloth covers for food storage. These options eliminate the need for disposable foil and offer a more sustainable solution. Reusable alternatives like beeswax wraps or silicone containers can significantly reduce the need for aluminum foil altogether.

Plan your portions: Avoid using excessive foil by planning your cooking and food storage needs accurately. This minimizes waste and reduces the overall amount of foil used.

Clean meticulously: If you must use aluminum foil, ensure it's completely clean and free of food residue before recycling. Any contamination can render the entire batch unusable.

Check local guidelines: Different regions have varying recycling regulations for aluminum foil. Familiarize yourself with your local guidelines to ensure you're recycling correctly.

Support responsible producers: Choose aluminum foil made with recycled content from companies committed to sustainable practices. This promotes a circular economy and minimizes environmental impact.

Reusable Cloth: You can use reusable cloth food wraps to keep your lunch, snacks, and leftovers fresh, before washing and reusing over and over.

Stainless Steel or Glass Containers: An airtight food container is another eco-friendly choice for storing foods that can be used many times over. 

Silicone Covers: Food-grade silicone lids and covers are great for keeping food fresher longer, and can also be used in the oven or freezer.