If you just got a trash compactor or are using one for the first time, you may be curious about its capabilities. You may even wonder whether or not a trash compactor will crush aluminum cans. We have researched all about trash compactors and their ability to crush aluminum cans for you.
A trash compactor can smash aluminum cans. Various relatively small trash compactors are meant for inside the home, and large-scale compactors that are most often used for businesses. Trash compactors of all sizes are strong enough to crush aluminum cans.
Keep reading to learn more about putting cans in a trash compactor. You will learn if a compactor is capable of crushing metal, the benefits of having a trash compactor, and what you should not put in it. We will also talk about whether or not you should crush cans before recycling them.
What to Put and What Not to Put in a Trash Compactor
A trash compactor is built to smash trash and compacts it to become smaller. Because trash compactors make it so that your trash takes up less space, you do not have to take the garbage out as often as you would without one.
Trash compactors vary in size. You can find them available in 30 gallons and 55 gallons. There are also paint can crushers available for the disposal of paint cans.
Always remember to keep your hands and arms away from and out of the trash compactor. Use a grabber or stick instead of your arm and hand to ensure safety measures.
Can you put cans in a trash compactor?
Yes, the answer is that you can put cans in a trash compactor. Trash compactors can successfully crush cans because cans are lightweight instead of the pressure exuded by a trash compactor's mechanisms. They do not crush them the same way a can crusher does, though.
A can crusher is an option that is used as an alternative means for crushing aluminum cans. These are typically mounted on a wall for easy access.
Can crushers, also known as can compactors, work so that they crush cans from top to bottom and essentially make them as flat as possible. A trash compactor will crush your can in whatever direction it is lying inside.
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It is suggested that a trash can or container can be placed under this device. This is for the process of catching and collecting the aluminum cans after they are crushed.
If you use your trash compactor to crush aluminum cans, be cautious about removing anything from your trash pile. Aluminum cans are sharp when they are crushed or cut.
Some trash compactors have two separate compartments—one side for regular trash and the other side for recyclables.
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Can a compactor crush metal?
Cans and other types of metal have to be put in the middle of the trash can to be compacting correctly. Household compactors are not quite as robust as commercial compaction equipment.
A bigger or more powerful compactor may be necessary for crushing large, heavy items.
It is a good idea to read your manual for the trash compactor in your home before putting metal inside. There are specific ways to load certain recyclables to make sure the machine will work properly.
Why have a trash compactor?
There are several compelling reasons to have a trash compactor. These reasons include:
- Minimizes the mess
- Decreases stress
- Empty trash bin less often
- Not as many trash cans around
- Saves you money
Minimizes the Mess
Compacted trash does not take up as much space as trash that has not been compacted. Without a trash compactor, your trash might end up on your countertop or kitchen table. With one, you can more easily keep your trash minimized.
Egg cartons, plastic bottles, and cardboard boxes are examples of larger trash items that would typically end up in the way. It is fantastic that a trash compactor is strong enough to crush these items.
Decreased Stress
It is best for your mental health to have your trash out of sight and out of your way. This is because clutter causes heightened stress levels. You can minimize your mess while maximizing your space.
Empty Trash Bin Less Often
Your trash can does not fill as quickly when you use a trash compactor. This is a benefit in the way that you do not have to take your trash out to be picked up outside of your home as often as you would if you did not use a trash compactor.
Not As Many Trash Cans Around
Some people prefer to utilize a trash compactor because you do not necessarily have to have as many trash cans out and around inside of your house. The trash compactor can be used as the place where the majority of your trash is kept.
Saves You Money
Using a trash compactor saves you money by making more trash fit in a trash bag than usually. Because of this, you end up spending less money on trash bags.
Cons to Using a Trash Compactor
Cons of using a trash compactor include the additional weight, the inconvenient shape of the compacted trash, and the space that the machine occupies. The extra weight can become a problem. It is a negative aspect that some of us can not carry as heavy of trash as others.
Another drawback of using a trash compactor is understanding that it ends up being rectangular when the trash is compacted. Unfortunately, this shape is not ideal for a typical outdoor trash can.
What can't you throw in a trash compactor?
It is vital to understand that you should never put anything flammable, toxic, or explosive in a trash compactor. Some examples of things you should never throw in a trash compactor are as follows:
- Aerosol spray cans
- Shotgun shells
- Paint or paint cans
- Paint thinner or paint thinner cans
- Starter fluid or starter fluid cans
- Firearms
- Fireworks
- Gasoline
- Batteries
- Insecticides
You should not put liquid waste into trash cans either. Liquid trash develops a strong displeasing odor in a short period of time. It can get into parts of the trash compactor and cause it to malfunction.
Two other items you should not put in a trash compactor are glass and wood. Wood will not compress; it will break. Splinters and chips of wood have the potential to get caught in the equipment or cut a hole in your trash bag. Big blocks of wood will also cause the motor to fail.
You cannot put glass in a trash compactor for the same reasons that you cannot put wood in it. Glass can not be compressed to flatten it. It will shatter under pressure. Burning cigarettes and lit candles are two more items you should not ever place in a trash bin or trash compactor.
Should you crush aluminum cans before recycling?
Crushing aluminum cans before recycling them makes it so that they take up less space. Doing this also minimizes the cost of recycling. If you are going to crush your aluminum cans before recycling them, you should empty them first.
Recycling centers want aluminum cans as well as plastic bottles and containers to be clean and dry. This is to avoid contamination.
It is helpful to rinse out the aluminum cans you want to recycle, then let them air dry upside down on a towel or drying mat before crushing them.
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In Closing
You can put aluminum cans in your trash compactor. Do so by placing them in the middle of your trash bin. Some benefits of using a trash compactor are that the compacted trash takes up less space, and almost anything can go in it.
Compacting your trash makes it so that you can fit more waste in the trash bag before having to take it out. This saves you trips carrying out the garbage. You also save money by using fewer trash bags.
Before you go, check out the following links related to trash compactors:
How To Empty A Trash Compactor And Clean It Properly
How To Remove A Built-In Trash Compactor In 4 Easy Steps
![A woman throwing away sliced peppers in to the trash compactor, Do Trash Compactors Need Special Bags? [And How To Measure For Them]](https://kitchenseer.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A-woman-throwing-away-sliced-peppers-in-to-the-trash-compactor-1-250x250.jpg)
