Frustrated With Aluminum Cans

**Must-Stash** · 04-03-2009, 12:55 AM

When we first moved here 30 years ago we took full advantage of much the land had to offer. Over the years we had chickens, cattle, horses and always several dogs and cats. We didn't have much garbage as most got recycled. We burned our paper products outside or in the fireplace. What cans we had we rinsed out after use, opened both ends and stepped on them until they were flat. It was a great system that called for maybe two trips a year to the town dump.

At some point we got regular weekly trash pickup and no longer bothered flatening the cans as the compactor would do it anyway.
Now that it's just the two of us again, I stopped the trash pickup and we went back to our old system.

It's the aluminum cans that have me in a time warp. Just when did they stop being the same on both ends? With few exceptions, almost all cans now are made so you can't open them from the bottom. I'm stuck with being unable to flatten them. A trash bag that used to take a couple months to fill with flat cans now takes a couple weeks to fill with full size ones.

I can't even guess why the manufacturer would care which end I opened or why they decided to no longer give me the option of opening either end.

Anyone have any ideas?

**Must-Stash** · 04-03-2009, 01:38 AM

I am sorry. I made an error.

The above post is meant to be about TIN cans, not aluminum ones. I realized my error only after having loged off. I came right back to edit but that option is not there anymore.

I recycle aluminum cans.

It's tin ones I'd like to be able to open at both ends again.

**hotprincesscm** · 04-03-2009, 07:29 AM

They are easier to stack on the shelves the way they are made now. The bottom end fits into the top end when stacked on your shelves. But I know what you mean, and it is frustrating

**Dancing Lotus** · 04-03-2009, 08:48 AM

I am so glade that you came back to clarify because I was so confused.

Sorry I can't help as we are not allowed to burn trash and you can't cancel trash pickup as it's included in our taxes.

**pbobber** · 04-03-2009, 11:26 AM

Our local recycling center/bins accept tin cans. If you local center doesn't perhaps one in a neighboring community does.

**baxjul** · 04-03-2009, 12:40 PM

I just noticed this the other day! It is strange. I was doing a craft with my dd and she wanted the bottom cut open. Well, lo and heold, it was diferent from the top.

**Edna_E** · 04-03-2009, 07:34 PM

Wow! You learn something new every day! I thought I couldn't open them because can openers are made more poorly - I'll quit laying the blame in the wrong place, and learn to pay attention to toaps and bottoms.

**Must-Stash** · 04-04-2009, 02:33 PM

I know what you mean.

I shop at Aldi's a lot and have noticed that the label is on upside down on a lot of the cans I bring home. I would have blamed my can opener too if I hadn't already been trying to open both ends before.

**momof42003** · 04-13-2009, 12:58 PM

Not sure, as I do not own one, but what about those "fancy" can openers that are "safe cutting". Pampered Chef is the first place I saw these. They cut around the edge of the can not the bottom (or top) of the can like regular can openers. Like I said,I don't know exactly how they work, but maybe they would.... Just adding my two cents. Good luck.

**Siebrie** · 04-14-2009, 08:30 AM

For flattening: use a piece of wood about a foot long, slightly less wide then the tin. Lie tin on its side, place wood across, step on the wood: the middle will fold. Remove wood from tin (or tin from wood), place wood on 1 end of tin and flatten tin-end, then flatten other end.

Can you tell that I watched the Blue Peter (UK) recycle appeal about 5 years ago?