text: recycling in the uk? am i removing the paper from tin cans (before recycling them) for nothing?  what happens to cans that have the paper still on?  are they recycled, thrown away or treated in some way? removing the paper is unnecessary in terms of the process of recycling.  metal gets melted down and any paper gets burned off in the process.  the reality is that you don't have to clean the containers out either, it's more of a hygiene issue.  if you go several days or weeks between material pickups/dropoffs you'll run the risk of critters getting into your recycling or developing swarms of mosquitoes every time you open your container.  hope this helps!