The Old-School Kitchen Tool You Likely Forgot About (& If They're Still Useful Today)

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As much as design trends can easily establish a specific decade and quickly go in and out of style, so can certain kitchen tools. Just think about the popularity of Instant Pots, Keurigs, and air fryers in recent years — each becoming the must-have 'handy' kitchen gadget that was guaranteed to make your life easier and more efficient. The craze of culinary tools can sometimes be short-lived, disappearing when something new comes along. This has always been true. From nut grinders to DrinkMasters to bread boxes, there are certain old-school kitchen items that nobody uses anymore. One that you might even have forgotten about is the can crusher. These handy gadgets were invented in 1976, when the aluminum can as we know it was evolving and becoming more ubiquitous in the beverage market.

As individuals were able to purchase more single serving aluminum beverages, the importance of recycling became more apparent, leading to a boom in the 1970s and '80s. This is when recycling took off on a personal and societal level, attempting to prevent 100% of trash from making its way into landfill. Can crushers really became popular in the '80s and '90s for individuals who wanted to help the environment and were willing to take the extra steps towards sustainability at home. Nowadays, can crushers aren't as prevalent as they once were. Although you can still find them in the occasional kitchen or garage, they are pretty rare. Even as more sustainable containers like glass become popular, it is estimated that over 100 billion cans are purchased in the United States each year. So is it worth revisiting this old-school kitchen tool today?

While this handy kitchen tool may seem completely harmless, a major issue when it comes to crushed cans is whether or not they can be recycled. This ultimately comes down to how recycling centers sort through the hundreds of tons of materials they receive on a daily basis. The two major processes for recycling are multi-stream and single stream. Multi stream processing is when individuals are tasked with sorting materials at home before they make it to the facility. Single stream is where all types of materials (glass, paper, plastic, cardboard, and aluminum) can be put into a single bin and are then sorted at the recycling center.

For individuals that live in a region with single stream processing, crushed cans may not be accepted. This is because industrial sorting machines have a harder time recognizing cans if they aren't in their original form. If you send crushed cans through the machine, they can end up being sent to the wrong processing area and actually contaminate other recyclable materials. If that's the case, you should stop crushing your empty cans before putting then in your recycling bin. However, that isn't always the case. Some counties that use single streams have additional equipment that helps identify aluminum no matter the shape. So if you are considering getting a can crusher, it is important that you check with your local recycling center to ensure your crushed cans will be accepted. You can often find the information on your city or county website, but if it's not there, you can call them directly and ask.

Can crushers have some specific benefits that make them worth considering. The major (and most obvious) benefit is that crushed cans will take up less space in your recycling bin and make them easier to transport from your kitchen, backyard, or garage. Who wouldn't enjoy making less trips to a curbside or building trash bin to empty out aluminum cans or appreciate a more convenient way to transport them to your local grocery store or recycling center? But as mentioned above, the benefits can become an issue when it comes to recycling. One way to get around the sorting machines that have trouble distinguishing crushed cans is to sort your recycling at home. If you are willing to take on this task, you will help facilities transport more materials at a time, adding to a much more efficient recycling system.

It is also good to note that the act of crushing cans has existed for decades and did not start because of the can crusher. The invention just made the process easier and more accessible for everyone. While it's important to know your region's recycling process and ensure your use of a can crusher complies with their needs, the actual gadget can be incredibly useful for households that go through a lot of aluminum cans. They are easy to use, come in wall-mounted or countertop versions, and can be placed almost anywhere in your home. There are also safety benefits to can crushers, especially when it comes to handling any sharp edges created from pull tabs. This makes them safe for kids and is a great way to get your young ones interested in and excited about recycling.