Why are aluminum cans the only cash-worthy recyclable?

Question

Well, you know how when you take aluminum to some places, you can trade them in for a small amount of cash? (It's never a lot, but you can get a few bucks from a garbage bag full)... Well, why is it that only aluminum is the only thing that brings in that small bit of cash?

If we were to have cash trades for papers and plastics, wouldn't recycling rates go up?

So, what is the reason why only aluminum is bought back, and not other recyclables, like glass or plastic?

Answer 1

I happen to work in the recycling business. The answer is an incredibly simple one. Supply and demand. There is a huge demand for aluminum compared to supply, thus the higher price. Also the processes for recycling paper and plastic and glass generally cost more than using virgin materials thus demand for recycled paper,plastic and glass is lower amongst companies that use those products for packaging.

good old econmics 101

As to how to change this situation...well thats the 64 million dollar question as they say.

Answer 2

Not here - we pay 10 cents/container for juices,pop,alcohol - in plastic, tin, glass, tetra packs - and can take them back for a 5 cent refund (10 cent for larger glass like wine bottles)... and we recycle (but not for $ except helping to keep refuse collection costs down) newspaper, plastics, glass jars, tin cans, cardboard, even milk cartons and all compostables from bones to plant matter... (Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia)

Answer 3

aluminum is readily re-used, the process is one step.Just melt and reform.
to re-use cardboard or steel, it takes many steps and they have different grades, like plastics.
Even glass has more than one process.
More things will be recycled when packaging is re-tooled to use reusable items.