Can You Put Aluminum Foil in the Recycle Bin?

Aluminum foil is undoubtedly one of the most important kitchen tools of our day.

Whether you want to bake or are simply looking for something to keep your food warm for a bit, aluminum foil is always there for you. On top of that, it’s affordable and easily accessible.

The only challenge most people have when it comes to using foil is the question of its disposal.

For many of us, it can be confusing deciding between throwing it out in the trash or tossing it in the recycle bin? I mean, is it even recyclable?

Let’s find out!

Is aluminum foil recyclable? Can you put it in the recycle bin?

Aluminum foil can be recycled as long as it isn’t contaminated with food or other organic materials. Clean aluminum foil can be recycled an infinite number of times. It’s even accepted by many curbside programs, making throwing it in your recycle bin a viable option.

Since recyclers can’t clean aluminum foil before recycling it though, attempting to recycle contaminated foil can contaminate the whole stream and ruin the load.

How do you recycle aluminum foil?

The best way to recycle aluminum foil is to rinse it quickly after using it, roll it into a ball, and then place it in your recycling bin/leave it at a drop-off site.

Can non-stick aluminum foil be recycled?

Yes, non-stick aluminum foil can be recycled, just like ordinary aluminum foil.

Is it compostable or biodegradable?

Aluminum foil is neither biodegradable nor compostable. If it ends up in a landfill, it takes around 400 years to oxidize and break down completely.

Are there any ways you can reuse aluminum foil?

If there’s one thing you should know about aluminum foil, it’s that it can be reused several times. Some of the ways you can reuse this foil include:

To scrub your pots and pans

If you roll aluminum foil into a ball, you can comfortably use it as a pot scrubber. You can use it to clean grills, oven doors, and chrome/steel appliances, too.

When used with baking soda, it can even be more effective than an ordinary scrubber.

To sharpen your scissors

If you’re constantly struggling with blunt scissors, aluminum foil can help you out. Using your scissors to cut through layers of this foil can easily sharpen them.

To clean your jewelry and silverware

Aluminum foil can come in handy when you’re trying to gently clean your jewelry and silverware.

Just line a bowl with it then add some hot water and baking soda/bleach-free detergent. After thoroughly mixing the solution, add your jewelry/silverware to it then wait for a minute before removing and air-drying them.

You will notice that they are clean yet you didn’t even scrub them.

What can be used instead of aluminum foil?

While aluminum foil is versatile, reusable, and recyclable, there are several more environmentally-friendly alternatives out there.

These include:

Beeswax food wraps – made of food-grade beeswax and natural oils, these beeswax wraps are a more sustainable way to wrap and store your food.
Cedar wraps – made of cedarwood, these wraps are a great foil alternative, especially when it comes to grilling. Just soak them in water for a few minutes before wrapping them around the food you intend to grill and you’ll be fine.
Silicone baking mats – these reusable silicone baking mats are non-stick and more sustainable than aluminum foil.

Silicone food covers – also referred to as stretch lids, these are great for covering food that has just been cooked.

Reuse as much as you can before recycling!

If you’re attached to aluminum foil and don’t want to replace it with any of the greener options we have provided above, you have only one sustainable path left – reuse it as much as you can then recycle it. Your planet will thank you for it!