Tin and can recycling: empty, rinse, lids inside

Food tins and drink cans can be recycled, says Recycle Now. So can biscuit tins, foil trays and empty aerosols.

• UK

Key facts

• Empty and rinse food tins and drink cans. Put tin lids inside the tin.
• Labels can stay on food tins.
• Take plastic caps off aerosols and tomato puree tubes.
• Recycle Now says each can could be recycled and back on sale as a new one in 60 days.

Last updated: 15 October 2026

Based on Recycle Now's own pages.

Accepted items

• Food tins
• Drink cans
• Biscuit and chocolate tins
• Foil trays
• Empty aerosols
• Aluminium tubes, eg tomato puree

Related item guides

• Aluminium foil and trays
• Food tins and drink cans
• Aerosol cans

Other kinds of place

• Tips near you: household waste recycling centres
• Recycling banks and bring sites near you
• Clothes donation bins and clothes banks near you
• Bottle banks near you for glass bottles and jars

Schemes and collection services

• Recycle Now locator
• Recycle Now: aerosols
• Recycle Now: foil
• Recycle Now: cardboard
• Recycle Now: food and drink cartons
• Recycle Now: paper