Tag Archives: Crushing Cans

Uncrushed Aluminum Can Infestation

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We have an Infestation of Uncrushed Aluminum Cans!

Aluminum Cans

OMG, if you go into my garage, we have 2 full bags of uncrushed cans that are practically spilling over!  My family is sick and tired of looking at all of THOSE CANS!

I can’t blame them for wanting them gone, but this winter has been so cold, snowy and overall soul zapping, that I just didn’t have the spirit to try to eradicate them.

That will all change tomorrow though, I’m going to RAID the infestation and exterminate those nasty uncrushed cans!  You see, tomorrow the temperature is supposed to kiss at least the low 60s!  So I’m going to drag my son out into the garage to dig into them.

He started crushing cans to make money as an experiment.  In case you didn’t get a chance to read my article, it’s called, “Is Recycling Aluminum Cans Worth Doing Anymore?“.  In it, I examine if it’s really worth it to recycle cans.

Even though he likes the money and likes the environment impact that he is making, he still hates to crush the cans and does a sloppy job sometimes, but he’s only 10 years old. At first, I didn’t understand why he did such a sloppy job, but after spending a few hours crushing cans the last time, I understand. It’s because it’s a hard process, especially for a light 10-year-old!

Since that last time I crushed the cans, I’ve learned how to optimize the process so that the cans could be crushed both more optimally and quickly.

MR’s Improved Crushing Process:

  • First I use the can crusher shown below
  • Next, I’ve learned to slightly bend the can siding so that it’s just a very slight bend to it.  Too much bend and the can buckles.  When the can buckles it bends and you get a bad crush since it just bends in half.  By slightly bending the can, the act of crushing the can is at least twice as easy to do in the can crusher device!  That’s because when it’s unbent, it has structural strength!  But a slight dent on the can wall is it’s Achilles heel, making it easier to crush.
  • Crush the cans above ground level and drop the can in the bag that’s directly below the crusher and can.  This makes it much nicer on your back.

Can Crusher

It’s good to find little tricks of the trade, and just a little bend on the can container makes a huge difference!

I’m looking forward to getting rid of the cans along with the bad weather!

-MR

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