Magnetic separation makes steel cans easy to reclaim from commingled recyclable material. Alternatively, steel cans can be source separated by base residents and personnel participating in curbside or voluntary drop-off collection programs. Processing requirements for steel cans vary, but generally the cans should be rinsed. The labels on the cans do not need to be removed prior to recycling. The lids on the cans can also be recycled (including steel lids from glass and plastic bottles). In addition to steel food and beverage containers, empty steel paint and aerosol cans are also accepted by the steel industry for recycling. Paint cans do not need to be rinsed, but the thin layer of skin paint remaining in the empty can must be dry. Aerosol cans must be completely empty, with the plastic lid removed (spray nozzles do not need to be removed for recycling). The can scrap may be baled, bundled, or shipped loose to the recycling facility. There may be specific requirements set by the recycler on bale size and density or bundle weight and density.

The three major potential markets (steel industry, foundries, and de-tinning companies) have specific requirements for purchasing post-consumer steel cans. It is essential to finalize market arrangements prior to processing the cans to ensure that the preparation process will be acceptable.

The marketability of steel cans depends on the form and purity of the recovered scrap. Clean compressed steel is more marketable and has a higher value. Equipment is available to compress the cans; as well as remove the contents.

The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved.

• Reduces the volume of waste disposed in landfills by up to 1.3 % (U.S. EPA 1994).
• Conserves energy and natural resources needed to produce new steel.
• Reduces landfill disposal fees.
• Minimal processing equipment requirements.

• May not be marketable in a few regions.
• May not be economical to recycle small quantities.
• Training of waste generators will be required, to ensure that steel waste streams can be properly separated.

Market prices for steel fluctuate on a regular basis. To obtain information on the current market value for steel, contact The American Metals Market at 412-281-4405 http://www.amm.com, or Waste News 330-836-9180 http://www.wastenews.com. For the most part, higher market prices are generally obtained for good quality (uncontaminated) metal cans. The recycling program presented below is dedicated only to steel can recycling. The payout period for this example is primarily a function of the market price for steel, which at the time of this datasheet update is $30/ton. Steel can recycling will be more cost effective if incorporated into an existing program that also includes glass and aluminum recycling.

Assumptions:

• Medium scale steel can collection program: 1 ton/month
• Purchase of 40 curbside recycling containers: $15/container
• Purchase of one large collection bin: $500
• Labor for collection/separation of steel can containers: 1 hr/week
• Landfill fee: $25/ton
• Labor rate: $30/hr
• Transportation cost to recycle center: $50/month
• Transportation cost to landfill: $150/month
• Recycled steel market price: $30/ton

Economic Analysis Summary

Annual Savings for Steel Can Recycling: $300
Capital Cost for Diversion Equipment/Process: $1,100
Payback Period for Investment in Equipment/Process: < 4 years

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