A lot of people have concerns about putting small pieces of aluminium foil in their recycling. The worry is it won’t actually get recycled because of the size. We want to have a closer look here to give you some advice. Then, if you want to order recyclable foils for different projects, you can talk to us.
A truth
Like a lot of things, there is a good reason so many people think smaller pieces of foil are not suitable for recycling. It all leads back to the equipment. Most notably, the process involves shredders to cut foils into tiny pieces. However, it can cause problems if you’re trying to shred small pieces to start with. They can potentially clog up equipment, causing shutdowns and other issues.
On top of the potential issue with shredding, there is also a concern about small pieces of foil simply getting lost at other phases of the recycling process. Most notably, it can happen during collecting and sorting.
While there can be issues, recycling processes and equipment have gotten better and better over the years. As a result, there can be fewer issues with lost materials and equipment. It means recycling even smaller pieces of aluminium foil is possible today.
Useful tips
There are a couple of simple things you can do to ensure there is a better chance of recycling smaller pieces of foil. Firstly, you can test to make sure you’re actually dealing with recyclable foils. Some things like lids and packaging may look like foil, but in actuality they are metallised plastic. Try doing a scrunch test; real foils will remain in a ball, while plastics will spring back close to normal.
Another thing you can do is scrunch small pieces of foil together in a ball. It will reduce the risk of smaller bits getting lost or causing issues. We’re talking lids, wrappers, and anything else you want to recycle. Just make sure everything is clean and made of foil; the worst thing you can do is contaminate it or make it impossible to separate something non-recyclable.
It is also a good idea to make sure you have a suitable container for your recycling. Local councils can differ greatly with their services. Some provide bins while others give households bags or boxes. Check to see their rules. You can then decide what you need to do. Make sure any small pieces of foil won’t become litter in your street when the council is emptying your recycling.
Talk to us about recyclable foils
As our name will give away, we have a lot of experience with foil. We appreciate how great it is for a massive list of applications, including decorative and functional foils. It also has the benefit of recyclability, ensuring it is a great option for the environment.
If you want to use foil for a project, you can rely on us. We have some of the best recyclable foils in the world. You can ask us for details about them, including applications, finishes, thicknesses, and more. So, get in touch today.