Metal Trade Show | Reusing Aluminum Foil？Experts Weigh In

Aluminium foil is primarily used in the culinary industry, most commonly as a single-use packaging material. However, what many people may not realize is that aluminium foil is reusable, and recycling is not the only way to repurpose it. Yes, you heard that right! As long as it is stored hygienically, used aluminium foil can be reused. At the Metal Trade Show, various companies showcased the diverse applications and eco-friendly characteristics of aluminium foil, including its reusability. This not only provided a platform for highlighting the versatility of aluminium foil but also contributed to promoting its sustainability and environmental benefits.

Chelsea Edwards, a registered dietitian and the owner of Huntsville Nutrition Collective in Huntsville, Alabama, spoke with Southern Living and explained that aluminium foil poses no health risks. “Unless you’re eating the foil, there’s no need to worry about using or reusing it,” she said.

Sometimes, dark spots appear on aluminium foil when it is used to bake food, making it less appealing for reuse. However, “The darkening and color changes of the foil are harmless,” Edwards clarified.

In fact, aluminium is ubiquitous in our environment, and our bodies consume it daily. As the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust, aluminium is present in food crops and drinking water. It is naturally found in food, and we ingest it more often than we realize, in items such as tea, salad, or chocolate. Over 60% of aluminium intake comes from unprocessed foods, with food additives contributing up to 40%. Only a tiny fraction—about 4%—comes from uncoated aluminium items like household utensils, grilling trays, or aluminium foil.

Dr. Ulrich Nehring, a certified food chemist, stated, “If proper guidelines are followed, using aluminium foil for food packaging is completely safe.”

Whether or not aluminium foil should be washed before reuse depends on personal preference and the amount of food residue left. “If the foil is heavily soiled, it should be washed before reuse, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be cleaned before reusing,” Edwards explained.

Even if aluminium foil is no longer in a usable condition for food packaging, it can still be repurposed for other tasks, such as removing tarnish from silverware, scrubbing pots and pans by crumpling it into a ball, or folding it to sharpen scissor blades.

The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) recently released the results of a consumer survey on household aluminium foil use. Conducted by the global market research firm Censuswide, the survey in 2024 covered six major European markets—France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Poland—gathering responses from 6,000 consumers. The survey confirmed that aluminium foil remains an essential item in European households, particularly for food storage and cooking.

The results revealed that 67% of respondents primarily use aluminium foil to wrap or cover food and leftovers. This usage is especially common in Southern European countries, such as France (75%), Spain (74%), and Italy (72%). In Germany (63%), Poland (66%), and the UK (52%), the tendency to use aluminium foil for food packaging is slightly lower. Nonetheless, aluminium foil continues to be a vital household item across all regions. Given the ease with which the material can be reused, it raises the question of why so much is sent for recycling when it could be reused first. So, from now on, consider reusing before recycling!