Hmmm... a dented can is ‘spat out’ by the deposit machine. Why is that anyway? Now you might be thinking: ‘oh well, one more or less can won't hurt’. But aluminium, the material of a can, takes a huge amount of energy to make, while aluminium is a material that can be recycled endlessly. At least, if we return those returnable cans in one piece and in one piece.
The problem with dented deposit cans
In cooperation with Deposit Money Netherlands
When you return a can, the machine scans it for shape, weight and barcode. It has to match exactly, otherwise the machine does not know it is a deposit can. A dented or flat can can disrupt scanning considerably. The barcode is then not easily readable, so the machine cannot recognise the can. The result: the can is not accepted, does not enter the recycling process and you do not get your deposit back. And that, of course, is a waste for you, but also for the planet.
Why is the deposit system important?
You may think: ‘Then we'll throw the broken can in the PMD or residual waste, right?’ It is true that this is better than leaving it as litter - never do this - but you are missing a valuable recycling opportunity that way. If cans end up in residual waste, they are incinerated and the aluminium is therefore lost. At best, during incineration, our household waste is converted into energy for factories or district heating.
And at the PMD (the special waste section for plastic, metal and beverage cartons), aluminium is often recycled into lower-quality products that should not be returned as food packaging. A shame, because aluminium can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality. By returning your can through the deposit system, it remains of high quality, you save raw materials and energy. To give you an idea: recycling aluminium is 20 times more energy-efficient than making aluminium from new raw materials. Count the profit of recycling! Want to know how a can can be completely recycled in sixty days? We followed and reported on the recycling of the can. More about the different waste streams (PMD, residual waste and deposits) read here.
Any deposit can can be recycled, including a dented can. Only the deposit machine does not recognise a broken can. So throw a broken can in the donation bin (often found near the deposit machines). You won't get a deposit for it, but that way it can be recycled.
Deposit cans so no more dents
Keep your can whole and not dented, that way the deposit machine knows exactly what to do with it! Do you end up with a dented or damaged can? Then throw it in a donation bin, recognisable by a large container near the deposit machine. That way it will still be processed and recycled into new cans. Can't find a donation bin? Then put it in the PMD or residual waste, but never leave it lying around in nature.
See more on Deposit Money Netherlands.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
