One Third of Single Stream Collected Aluminum Cans Not Getting Recycled!!

New studies show that almost 1/3 of aluminum cans collected via single stream are “lost”.  That means they do not get recycled.

Container Recycling Institute report, pages 15-17 discuss MRF contamination and losses:
https://www.container-recycling.org/images/2025/CRI_Aluminum_Beverage_Can_Recycling_Final_Report_2025-01-30.pdf

Single stream also called mixed recycling, cart based recycling, single source, all-in-one recycling.

MRF is a Material Recovery Facility. It’s where recyclables get baled. If mixed, it’s where they are first “sorted” then baled.

UBC means Used Beverage Container. Aluminum cans are used for beverage, soda, beer, etc.