Aluminum cans

[rexmerdinus]

So...what's the deal with people saving the pull-tabs separately from beer/soda cans. Most that I talk to are saving them for one charity or another, but what's so special about them? I've heard that the metal content is of a different quality or alloy or something--any truth to that?

[hobo finds]

Same value as the cans. If you are going to remove them then donate them!

[rexmerdinus]

So if they're the same value as the cans, what's the point of charities collecting specifically just them, instead of the whole cans? BTW, this is taking place in Pennsylvania, and as far as I know the local recycling programs run by the county does not compensate for what it collects--is this possibly just a way to harvest a small amount of aluminum from what the county is turning back over to industry? That doesn't make sense, because whatever entity finally gets compensated for the aluminum must surely do so by weight. Anyone shed some light?

[cyberdan]

My old metal detecting club collects a trashbag or two every year for Ronald Mcdonald House. I think the way it works for them McD donates a certain amount per poptop. Probably a tax write off.

Speaking of that clown, where I used to live we had a Ronald McDonald grave site. one grave out in the middle of a cow pasture. Fitting spot, all the cattle getting ready to make a trip into a big mac can pay their last respects on his grave

[messymessy]

So if they're the same value as the cans, what's the point of charities collecting specifically just them, instead of the whole cans? BTW, this is taking place in Pennsylvania, and as far as I know the local recycling programs run by the county does not compensate for what it collects--is this possibly just a way to harvest a small amount of aluminum from what the county is turning back over to industry? That doesn't make sense, because whatever entity finally gets compensated for the aluminum must surely do so by weight. Anyone shed some light?

Pop tabs for charity is based on an old urban legend. The rumor used to be that so many pull tabs were good for 1 hour of kidney dialysis if you donated them to the National Kidney Foundation. There was never any such program, but there were lots of people saving them. Now there are charities that accept pop tab donations, but all they do is sell them for scrap.

I hate to be cynical, but the whole thing is rather pointless. A bad case of good intentions that really don't accomplish much.

[jasmatk]

i think it is a way to look like your doing good by collecting scrap 4 money but your only getting pull tabs witch=crap the more profitable thing to do would be to accept crushed cans but that takes up room and stinks so pull tabs is a way to look like your doing a good deed when its really nothing dont meen to sound bleek but come on!

[hobo finds]

Check out Ebay.... http://cgi.ebay.com/18-000-Aluminum-pul ... 45f7872182

also saw somewhere that 1267 tabs make a pound!

[giddyup99]

You guys think it may have something to do with the tab not having been painted? The tab would be "pure" 6061 alloy, correct? No idea if there is such thing as #1 and #2 aluminum.

[messymessy]

Check out Ebay.... http://cgi.ebay.com/18-000-Aluminum-pul ... 45f7872182

also saw somewhere that 1267 tabs make a pound!

They have a high asking price, but no one bid on them.