Food bank and cans

[Notfeelinggreattoday]

Hi
I have several tins of food in cupboard that we now don't need ( no one likes) that were given to us , was going to donate to food bank but two of them have dents in them and im not sure if they will take as im sure ive been told bit to use dented cans but i don't actually know why
One is a tin dog food other toms
If they won't do i just dispose on the whole tin in the general waste ?

I would empty the tin and recycle that even if throwing contents away.

The tin is made of layers of metal. The one in contact with the food is non toxic but the outer one might not be so if the tin is dented it might damage the non toxic layer and expose the food to toxins in the metal. That's one of the only things I remember from GCSE chemistry- the teacher told us that's why we shouldn't buy dented tins when we were poor students!

Yes i thought about that but if the contents are supposedly not safe should i be opening and putting in food waste?
Im reading different things regarding how dangerous dented tin cans are ,

I've just googled it as I suddenly distrusted my memory and teacher! Apparently its the risk that the can splits and air gets in and makes the food spoil

@BabyMoonPie yes thats what i just read so therefore i guess opening them isn't a good idea and putting in food waste then either
So maybe i should just throw in the main bin
I tend to not buy much tinned food and always check for dents as had in back of my mind a nagging feeling i had been told not to but and use them, so have't had any cans to dispose if ever before that i can remember

I think you'll be OK putting the contents in the food waste. Surely it rots in there anyway?

@BabyMoonPie i can only find advice from usa which just says bag up and throw away , i guess if i open cans the toms i would have to chuck juice down sink as too wet for food bags and even dog food is quite wet plus i will have fo also wash it out in sink as food tends to stick to side in can food .
Cross contamination is what concerns me , maybe i will contact the waste people and ask them what they think is best

You sont need to phone anyone . If you don't want to empty into food waste just put them unopened into your general food waste

Dont*
What sort of cross contamination are you worried about?

Dented tins are absolutely fine. Shops sell dented tins, they're reduced because they're a bit less pretty, not because they're toxic!

Please donate them to the food bank.

Are they big dents or just a small indentation?

@dementedpixie quite big dents which is why i noticed more so
Im sure i have used a can here and there with a little dent without realising

Why not just give them to the food bank anyway?

@Georgyporky because I am
Not sure that they will take them

A general dent in the side is fine, a dent on a corner/ridge is a problem

"@Georgyporky because I am
Not sure that they will take them."

Let them decide.
My local F.B. gets all the supermarket dented cans & distributes them.