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We have been able to recycle aluminium cans for quite some time here in the UK, but did you know you can also recycle aluminium foil? Foil is a
very thin sheet of aluminium, great for protecting food. It is commonly used for:
- Ready meal and takeaway containers, pie cases
- household wrapping and cooking foil
- lids for dairy products, such as cream and yoghurt
- milk bottle tops
- chocolate foil
Don't confuse aluminium foil with the metallised plastic film often used for crisp and snack packets, which cannot be recycled. If aluminium foil has
been "laminated" – that is, attached to plastic or paper - it also cannot be recycled. Use the scrunch test to discard shiny plastic film: if it springs back when scrunched in the hand, it is not recyclable!
Aluminium cans and foil are collected separately because they are made of different alloys and so are recycled separately. However, many
aluminium can banks and buy-back centres also accept aluminium foil for recycling now.
Some of the best quality aluminium made is used to manufacture drink cans and aluminium foil – because it has to be pressed or rolled out so
thinly – so it makes sense to recycle this material.
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