Something I have been doing for years, after reading how many animals are killed and die a horrible death each year by getting their heads stuck in old tin cans, while sniffing after the contents, is squashing the can together (when empty of course), before disposing of it.

I lean the can on the counter in the kitcchen, then press it in so that it would be impossible for any tiny kitty or pup to get its head stuck in the can.

Guess this will help whether cans are in your bin on the street, and when taken to the refuse dump too, which surely has lots of roaming animals searching for food amongst the garbage.

It is a small thing, but if many people do it, it would help relieve the extra unneccessary suffering of this unfortunate creatures.

I don't see it much here, but in the US the plastic six pack rings can be fatal to an animal that gets caught in it. I always cut them up before throwing them away. A small thing, as you say, but it does make me feel better