Byline: Tony Bridges

Aug. 23--About to take a nice, long drink from a cold can of soda?

Chances are, your lips won't be the first ones to touch that aluminum.

Nearly 12 million used cans are shipped out of Tallahassee each year to be recycled and filled with new beverages.

But don't worry. By the time your mouth touches it, the can's been washed, melted and baked - wiping out any leftover cooties from previous drinkers.

And, along the way, those cans have made at least a few bucks for some enterprising collectors.

One penny at a time.

"Helps with the taxes," said Richard O'Malley, a Crawfordville man who sells his cans to a recycler. "Or you ...

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