How do you recycle aluminum can tops for money?

Aluminum can tops will be accepted by any recycling center that also accepts aluminum cans. As the entire can is usually made from the same aluminum, however, the top or tab is worth no more than the rest of the can.

Some states offer per-can recycling rates that are often more lucrative than recycling by total weight.

There have been rumors that the tabs of aluminum cans are made from a higher-quality aluminum than the rest of the can and are thus more valuable, but this is not true. Standard soda and beer cans are entirely made from the same aluminum and have the same value.