dcwcreations / Shutterstock.com Metal Cans Recycling dcwcreations / Shutterstock.com Prep for Recycling Empty all contents from cans. Metal lids should also be placed in the recycling container. Paper labels do not have to be removed. Aerosol cans that contained (or still contain) toxic material (e.g., air freshener, hair spray, spray paint, lysol, etc) need to be disposed of as Household Hazardous Waste. Empty aerosol cans that once held nontoxic material (e.g., whipped cream, spray cheese, etc.) should be placed in the trash. Paper Label Can Be Recycled Separately The can will get recycled if you leave the paper label on, but you can also remove the label to be recycled separately as paper. Ways to Reuse Pen or Paintbrush Holder Clean out empty food cans and use them to store or organize pens, pencils, paintbrushes, or other office, art and craft supplies. Did You Know? Metal Can Be Recycled Again and Again Steel food cans can be recycled over and over again because they don’t lose any of their quality or functionality during the recycling process. Tin Can Recycling in the 1940s