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Dalsuh
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
757 Posts |
 Posted - 04/12/2009 : 15:07:20
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Since I go through so many aluminum cans(beer & sodas), I decided to save them from now on. However, I live in a apartment with limited space. What is the best way to store them. So far I have been rinsing them out so they dont stink. But I was wondering, does the cost of using water to rinse it out make saving them worth it? Also, is there a certain way of crushing them?
I know these questions might sound newbie, but I'm serious!
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CoinHunter53562
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1805 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 15:29:50
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Good question Dalsuh...I would like to see others input on this. I do the same, and to crush them I twist them about 1/4 of the way clockwise and then squish them with my hands (be careful to watch for jagged edges). It takes the size down to about 1/4 to 1/3 of the original size. I guess I could crush them further by stomping on them but I dont bother.
You could also buy a wall mounted can crusher from a place like Walmart, but I have never tried one or known anyone who owns one. Everyone I know tosses their cans into the municipal recyling bin.
As far as storing, I throw them into a big heavy duty Hefty bag for now, but living in a house I have a little more room. Do you have a secure storage area that you could put them into until you have built up enough to cash them in? |
My hobby: collecting real money 1 copper cent or nickel at a time.
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Edited by - CoinHunter53562 on 04/12/2009 15:30:18 |
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slickeast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2533 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 15:40:35
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| go to your local dunkin donuts and get a free frosting bucket. use those to store the crushed cans. also great for all those pennies. I have one of those can cruchers but don't use it. I just fill trash bags and store in the basement till the price goes up. I don't drink beer so I don't have to b concerned about the smell. I think the water use might cost as much as what u are getting back. |
You don't have to be the BEST you just have to be.......SLICK
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RyanAKL
Penny Pincher Member
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 19:01:25
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| i would say your best bet is to buy a wall mounted can crusher, they work great(only about 8 bucks). About your storage situation im not sure what to tell you, i have a pole barn i store all of my scrap metal in, maybe if you have a friend that will let you store them in there garage or somthing, but i would have to say if you are rinsing every can ofcourse that will cut into your profit but you will still come out ahead. |
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HoardCopperByTheTon
Administrator
USA
6807 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 20:32:04
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They have the water seperately metered at your apartment complex? Usually water and garbage are included in the rent. Water is still so cheap for the little bit you use to rinse out the cans that the effect would be neglegable. Rinsing them also helps keep you from getting an ant problem if you are going to store them a long time.
The can crushers work fine, but you could do it faster if you just put all the cans in one of those big black plastic yard bags and drop a 1 ton bag of pennies on top of them.  |
If your percentages are low.. just sort more. If your percentages are high.. just sort more.
Now selling Copper pennies. 1.6x plus shipping. Limited amounts available. |
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slickeast
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2533 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 21:37:55
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| We are saving cans at work. I put them in about 5 plastic bags and put them between several sheets of carboard and put them in the baler. It crushed them down nice and flat. |
You don't have to be the BEST you just have to be.......SLICK
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Dalsuh
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
757 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 23:11:29
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| I guess I'll just go with the stomp method lol. |
PACK THE FORUM EVERY MONDAY NIGHT
Eastern 9 PM
Central 8 PM ( Forum Time )
Mountain 7 PM
Pacific 6 PM ( HoardCopperByTheTon Time)
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hobo finds
Penny Hoarding Member
838 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2009 : 23:17:16
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| The can crusher i have hooks to the top of a 35 gal trash can when you smash it it falls into the can! I double bag the smashed cans as the bags break down in the AZ sunshine as they are stored over time. I get 19# per bag. Don't rinse |
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El Dee
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
547 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2009 : 13:47:50
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The best way I've found to crush is with a landscape tamper, the kind you can buy at Home Depot.
Before I crush, I shake the liquid out, then let them dry. I don't mess with rinsing them.
Set your can upright ON CONCRETE and with a couple of firm slams it compacts into what looks like a drink coaster. |
Trust the government? Ask an Indian. |
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chris6084
Penny Collector Member
303 Posts |
Posted - 04/16/2009 : 21:46:10
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| I had a similar problem, and since I lived in an upstairs apartment, stoming was not a friendly option to the downstairs guys. I would sweeze the middle and smash the top & bottom with my hands like somebody else here mentioned. Then I would go out on my patio and STEP on them (not stomp!) the crushed a lot nicer than stomping alone. |
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oober
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1304 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 18:31:08
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quote:
Originally posted by HoardCopperByTheTon
They have the water seperately metered at your apartment complex? Usually water and garbage are included in the rent. Water is still so cheap for the little bit you use to rinse out the cans that the effect would be neglegable. Rinsing them also helps keep you from getting an ant problem if you are going to store them a long time.
The can crushers work fine, but you could do it faster if you just put all the cans in one of those big black plastic yard bags and drop a 1 ton bag of pennies on top of them.
I was thinking the same thing, when I lived in apt's back in the day I was never charged for water...
Apt doesnt offer storage locker in basement?
Otherwise if your young, get yourself a 55gallon drum with lid, a piece of wood, and a sheet. Voila a table... Put your cans in there (crushed, rinsed, and dry). |
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Dalsuh
Penny Hoarding Member
USA
757 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 19:01:19
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| I pay my own water and power. I've just been rinsing, drying and throwing into a box for now. |
PACK THE FORUM EVERY MONDAY NIGHT
Eastern 9 PM
Central 8 PM ( Forum Time )
Mountain 7 PM
Pacific 6 PM ( HoardCopperByTheTon Time)
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oober
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1304 Posts |
Posted - 04/21/2009 : 20:55:41
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You know if the recycling place is close, just bring them as needed, that is if you don't mind the lower prices.
Me I get about 15lbs per week from work (its good being a boss), but I don't want to store them, I just bring them in once a week on the way home.
It goes right into the silver fund. :) |
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Questions about collecting cans.
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