According to industry experts, you need to stop crushing aluminum cans before hauling them in to be recycled. One of mine happens to be based on piles and piles of aluminum cans. Crushing aluminum cans can actually throw off the entire system. Getty Images loading..."That's because it's harder for the electrical current which helps separate out aluminum cans at municipal recycling facilities to identify them," the website reported. No smashing, crushing or flattening is required for your aluminum and plastic making recycling a whole lot easier.