Do I Have to Remove Labels from Cans for Recycling?

Do I need to Remove Labels from Cans for Recycling?

Do I Have to Remove Labels from Cans for Recycling?

Do I Have to Remove Labels from Cans for Recycling?
Is this necessary?

The short answer is NO. You don’t have to remove labels from cans and bottles for recycling. BUT – if you want to be helpful and ensure that your recyclables are as clean and uncontaminated as possible, then YES, it’s a good thing to do.

What’s the deal with can labels?

The larger beverage companies can afford to print their designs directly on aluminum cans, but many smaller craft beer breweries, soda makers and sparking water companies are using either shrink-wrapped or vinyl sticker labels because it’s more affordable for smaller batches.

When these aluminum cans are melted down for recycling, the labels are burned off and can cause equipment issues, hazardous emissions, impurities in the molten aluminum and other problems.

Currently the numbers of these types of cans in the overall mix are low enough that it isn’t causing a huge problem, but the manufacturers trying to recycle this stuff aren’t fans of the labels. They make the job harder and less profitable. And if plastic labels continue to be used more often, they could start to become a real issue.

So long story short – no, you don’t have to remove the labels, but you’d be doing a good deed if you take that extra step.

Removing can labels

The vinyl stickers can be peeled off, once you get a corner going, it is generally pretty easy to peel it off in one piece.

The shrink-wrapped labels can usually be ripped off easily too if you find the seam:

The seam of a shrink-wrapped can.
Shrink-wrapped label seam on an aluminum can.

If you can get a fingernail or sharp object underneath that seam, it generally tears off pretty easily, and you’re left with this:

Aluminum can with shrink-wrap label removed.
Aluminum can with shrink-wrapped label removed.

What about those plastic 6-pack can carriers?

Plastic 6-pack can carriers by PakTech.

We’ve got a whole article about How to Recycle Can Carriers (rigid plastic 6-pack rings) made by PakTech.

9 thoughts on “Do I Have to Remove Labels from Cans for Recycling?

  1. What do you recommend being done with the flexible plastic shrink wrap labels from creamer, yogurt, some beverage etc containers and labels around water, propel, etc containers after they are removed? I have bags and bags of these. I was hoping they could go in the store bins that plastic grocery bags go in but I have been told both things…. They can go there and they can’t. So what’s a recycling junkie to do with it all piling up on my kitchen?? Thank you for any advice!!

    1. As far as I know, these types of shrink-wrap labels are not recyclable with other plastic films and bags. If the instructions on the bag bin doesn’t say it accepts other types of non-stretchy film (like bagged lettuce and chip bags), then they probably don’t want the shrink wrap labels either. I’m not aware of any program to recycle those unfortunately. For more info on recycling plastic film and bags, visit https://greenandgrumpy.com/how-to-properly-recycle-plastic-bags-and-plastic-film/

    2. Hefty Energy bag program is good for non-recyclable plastics. Check with your local recycling company to see if they accept these. If so, some large grocery chains sell the bags. They’re a last-resort option for things like plastic wrap or bread bags that you’d normally have to put in the landfill.

      1. This is very interesting. Looks like it’s only offered in a few locations right now though. If this were to expand it could be a very helpful thing. That is, if the plastic actually does get recycled.

  2. Where do you put the printed paper labels from food and pet food cans – in paper recycling or garbage? Thank you.

  3. Hi, thanks for this information. I started peeling off shrink-wrap plastic from aluminum cans recently, your article confirms this is a good idea.
    But I want to chime in about Ridwell, a recycling service in my Seattle, WA area that helps people recycle otherwise “unrecyclable” items, by partnering with various organizations. LOVE IT! They added a fantastic category last summer, “Multi-layer plastics,” for items like chip and cereal bags, shrink-wrap plastics of all sorts, candy wrappers, etc. My neighbor and I totally fill the canvas bag for pickup every two weeks. In addition to Multi-layer plastics, we have a separate bag for stretchy plastic film, plus smaller bags for Batteries and Lightbulbs, plus a few more. Check it out, maybe they are available in your area or if enough interest is generated, set up shop there. Believe they started out in Portland, OR, which has even greater recycling possibilities now: CLEAR CLAMSHELL-type hard plastics!

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