I have often seen others questioning how they can best recycle or repurpose their old tin cans. Some of the cans that processed foods come in are aluminum and shouldn’t be a problem to recycle. Though that may depend on the salvage yard you have access to.
The one that is local to me refuses old oil filters and spray cans, even if crushed or cut and cleaned. While another some 215 miles away considers them number one scrap.
One claims the smelter refuses them while the other says they will take all I can bring them and will give me top dollar. My guess is education on what is actually considered hazardous waste or dangerous. This is a bit outside the meaning for this post but intended to show that where you live may dictate what, or at least how you’ll be able to recycle.
I’d suggest you call a few scrap yards if your intentions are to collect cans to sell for scrap, they will likely not pay a great deal if they do buy them but any money for something you’d be throwing away otherwise can’t be bad.
There are at least a few books out there on working with tin and specifically with tin cans. If you have a creative bent, perhaps you could make things that could be sold for a decent profit.
Here’s a link to some ideas, it’s loaded with advertising but maybe you’ll find an idea or see something that sparks an idea for you. https://sustainmycrafthabit.com/upcycled-tin-can-crafts/ I have no affiliation with this site.
I have seen where people remove the tops and bottoms of cans, cut them on the seam and then flatten them out to be used as small shingles and or siding on dog houses or chicken coops. Also the lids can be used in the same way and would look similar to fish scales.
Not too mention these flattened out bits of metal could be used to make repairs on other sheet metal. In an old farm house I once lived in, someone had used flattened out tin cans to cover mouse holes in cabinet drawers and such.
I have even seen aluminum cans flattened out and used as shingles, though personally I think it’d be better to cash them in but to each their own.
One thing I’m wanting to try since getting my anvil is making something along the lines of Damascus steel and forge a knife from some tin cans. It should be noted that cans will have some sort of lining that should be avoided, especially if your heating them in a fire for any reason.
The best option is too obviously avoid metal canned foods, then no need to recycle and limited exposure to the chemicals used to line the cans.
Do what works for you! I was going to include the name of the book I bought but can’t for the life of me remember what it was called, and naturally it’s buried in storage which is another topic I’ll tackle on here one day.
Slocum's Creak 