End market users of steel can scrap, including steel mills and detinners, accept empty aerosol cans as part of the steel can recycling mix they receive from recycling programs. When they are recycled, steel cans may become a variety of new steel products, such as new cars, appliances, toys, tools, and construction materials. About steel can recycling Steel food, paint and aerosol cans, and steel lids and closures on other containers, are recycled into new steel products. Among these are new cans, automobiles, appliances, construction materials, tools and toys. Steel can end markets include steel mills and foundries.
New steel is made with old steel.
So all of today's steel products contain recycled steel and are recyclable. Steel's magnetic attraction allows steel cans, aerosol and otherwise, to be magnetically separated from other recyclables, or from the municipal solid waste stream. Steel cans are usually baled, although they may be flattened or shredded. Scrap dealers and detinners serve as secondary processors for steel cans. The consumption of incidental plastic components, paper labels and other minor, nonferrous matter during the steelmaking process has no effect on the quality of the new steel produced.