Every tab helps keep the lights on and the doors open for families in their greatest time of need. Collecting pop tabs is more than just recycling; it’s a powerful symbol of collective goodwill. Each tab is a small promise of hope and support for a family facing the unimaginable.
So next time you open a can, save that little tab. You’re not just saving a piece of aluminum; you’re helping us provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare.
This simple act of collecting and donating these tiny aluminum tabs has a surprisingly powerful impact, and you’re in the right place to learn exactly how it all works.
Preparing your tabs is simple. The main goal is to make them clean and easy to handle. It’s best to store your tabs in a clean, dry, and sealed container. This prevents them from spilling and makes them easier for volunteers to manage.
Here are some great container ideas:
Large plastic coffee cans
Cardboard boxes (taped securely)
Gallon-sized milk or water jugs
Large, heavy-duty resealable bags
There’s no need to count them! Giving them a quick rinse before you start your collection can be helpful, though it’s not strictly necessary. The most important thing is that they are separated from the can.
Yes! While they’re called “pop tabs,” they are collected from a wide variety of aluminum cans. As long as the tab is aluminum, it’s perfect for the program.
 Accepted Tab Sources |  What Not to Include |
| Soda and pop cans | The entire aluminum can (see below for why) |
| Energy drink cans | Steel or tin can lids (e.g., from soup cans) |
| Canned soup lids (if aluminum) | Other metal objects (screws, bottle caps) |
| Vegetable and fruit tins (aluminum tabs only) | Plastic tabs or other trash |
Yes, you certainly can! For people who don’t live near a chapter or collection site, mailing your tabs is a wonderful way to contribute. Before you do, check our website for the correct mailing address.
When mailing, pack them securely in a sturdy box and consider using a shipping service that offers tracking. It’s a small cost for the peace of mind of knowing your donation arrived safely. A little note inside telling us where you’re from is always a heartwarming touch for the team that opens it!
You might wonder, “Why not the whole can?” It comes down to a few very practical reasons that make the program so successful:
Higher Quality Aluminum: The tab is made of a different, more pure, and higher-quality aluminum alloy than the can itself, making it more valuable to recyclers.
Space and Cleanliness: Storing thousands of tabs is much easier and cleaner than storing bulky, sticky cans. A small box can hold thousands of tabs, which is much more manageable for the charity and for collectors at home.
Community Engagement: It’s an easy and safe way for anyone, including children, to get involved in philanthropy. Saving a pop tab is a small action that creates a massive collective impact and teaches kids the power of working together for a good cause.
The value of aluminum fluctuates daily on the metals market, so a single pop tab is worth a tiny fraction of a cent. But the program’s power isn’t in a single tab; it’s in the sheer volume collected by the entire community.
Let’s put it in perspective:
It takes approximately 1,100 to 1,200 tabs to equal one pound.
The price for scrap aluminum generally ranges from $0.50 to $0.80 per pound.
While one pound might only buy a bottle of water, Ronald McDonald House chapters collect millions of tabs, turning them into tens of thousands of dollars annually. For example, a chapter collecting 10,000 pounds of tabs in a year could raise $6,500—enough to cover a family’s stay for weeks or pay the House’s electricity bill for months!
Funds raised from recycled pop tabs support our general operating budget, helping cover daily operational costs—such as utility bills, pantry supplies, housekeeping items, and house maintenance—so we can provide accommodation, meals, and everyday support that remove barriers and keep families actively involved in their child’s care.
This includes things like:
Utility bills (heating, water, electricity)
Stocking the pantry with food and snacks
Linens and cleaning supplies
Maintenance and repairs for the House
Helping to cover the cost of a family’s stay (most families are asked to contribute only a small amount, if anything at all)
We are incredibly grateful to our friends at Brown’s Super Service Inc. for their ongoing partnership and generosity. Whenever our pop tab collection bin fills up, the Brown’s team graciously donates their time and services to pick it up, transport it to Advantage Metals Recycling, and return the empty bin to us—all completely free of charge. Their support helps make this program a success!
