What do I do with cans?
Aluminum is the single most valuable material in your recycling bin — it can be recycled infinitely with no loss in quality, and a can is back on the shelf as a new can within about 60 days. Steel ("tin") food cans are also fully recyclable.
Step 1 — Best
Reduce
Don’t create the waste in the first place.
- •Switch to a refillable water bottle for everyday drinks — even the best recycling still has losses.
- •Buy larger sizes where practical: one 28-oz can of tomatoes creates less material than two 14-oz cans.
Step 2 — Better
Reuse
Give it another life — donate, sell, or repurpose.
- •Clean food cans make great paintbrush washers, seedling starters, and desk organizers.
- •Aluminum cans are the best material for a kid's tin-can-telephone project.
Step 3 — Good
Recycle
Proper drop-off keeps materials in the economy.
- •Curbside: Republic Services picks up aluminum and steel cans in the standard recycling cart. Rinse first.
- •Cash back: Pacific Steel & Recycling pays by the pound for aluminum cans (currently around $0.50/lb; call for daily rate).
- •Keep lids on or inside the can so they don't fall through sorting screens.
Last Resort
Heads up
Aerosol cans (hairspray, spray paint, WD-40) are NOT regular cans — they belong at household hazardous waste events until fully empty.
Where to take it in Missoula
Top spots from our verified local directory. Hours and details current as of April 2026.
Still overwhelmed?
cans is just one pile. If the whole house feels like this, Chanel handles the sorting, hauling, and drop-offs — across every category in this guide.
Book a Free Call →or call (406) 285-1525
Disposal information on this page is synthesized from ZERO by FIFTY Missoula’s Cans guide, a City of Missoula initiative coordinated by Home ReSource.
Clutter Free Spaces adds local overlays: live hours, community verification, and a direct path to help if you need it.