Can You Recycle Aluminum Cans?

Can you recycle aluminum cans? Absolutely! And when you do, you are helping to save a ton of energy, reduce resource use, cut pollution, keep materials in use, and support recycling. Recycling aluminum cans is like giving a big high-five to the planet.

What Are The Benefits of Recycling Aluminum

You see, making new cans from scratch uses a lot of energy through mining and processing. Plus, in order to make aluminum beverage and food cans, we must extract bauxite, from which aluminum is derived. Mining is a very energy-intensive activity and has other environmental implications, so the less we do this, the better. Then, we must transport the bauxite to a refinery where it is refined and processed into aluminum metal. It then gets transported to a manufacturing plant, where it is melted and turned into cans.

Once sorted at a materials recovery facility, your recycled aluminum can heads straight to the manufacturing plant, bypassing the mining and refining processes. You might be excited to know that your recycled aluminum can be turned into a new can and will end up back on the supermarket shelf in as little as 60 days. Plus, aluminum can be recycled over and over again without losing its quality. How cool is that?

Let’s break down the benefits of recycling

• Saves Energy: Making new aluminum cans from scratch is a bit of an energy hog. When you recycle aluminum cans, it saves energy because there is less mining and less refining.
• Preserve Resources: Aluminum is like gold in the recycling world. It’s super valuable, and by recycling, you’re keeping this precious resource from going to waste.
• Cuts Pollution: When we recycle, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, making the world a cleaner, fresher place to live.
• No Litter Bugs: Can you recycle aluminum cans? Of course! And it’s a way to say “no” to litterbugs. When we recycle, we keep our streets, parks, and nature spots free from litter.
• Supports Jobs: Recycling doesn’t just help the planet; it helps people, too! It helps to support jobs in recycling and making the industry stronger.

Yes, aluminum cans are highly recyclable, and the recycling process for aluminum is both energy-efficient and environmentally beneficial. Recycling aluminum cans helps conserve natural resources, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes the environmental impact associated with mining and processing bauxite ore, from which aluminum is derived.

Here’s how you can recycle aluminum cans

1. Collection: Collect aluminum cans from your household, workplace, or other locations. It’s essential to separate aluminum cans from other materials like glass, plastic, or paper to facilitate recycling.
2. Empty and Rinse: Before recycling, make sure the cans are empty. This helps prevent contamination and makes the recycling process more efficient.
3. Leave the lids on: Aluminum can lids are made from the same material so they are also recyclable. It’s a good idea to put them inside the can so they will not be missed during the collection and sorting process and so the workers are less likely to cut themselves.
4. What about the pop tabs or ring pulls? These items when separated are too small to be picked up by the recycling machines. A good option is to collect them in an aluminum can, and when it is nearly full, crush it a little to make sure they stay inside and put it in your recycling bin. You can also collect them and donate them to a charity such as Ronald McDonald House Charities.
5. Find a Recycling Center: Locate a recycling center or a collection point in your area that accepts aluminum cans.
   • Many communities offer curbside recycling programs that accept aluminum cans in designated bins. You can also find recycling centers at grocery stores or drop-off locations.
   • If your area does not have access to curbside recycling or they do not accept aluminum cans, then you will need to find a drop-off centre. In some cases, this may actually be a better option as some places will pay you a small amount for your deposit. This is typically offered through a container deposit scheme (bottle bill), where you pay a deposit when purchasing the beverage and receive a refund when you return the empty can.
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   • When you’ve collected a sufficient quantity of cans, drop them off at the recycling center or place them in your curbside recycling bin on your designated pickup day.

Did you know you can also recycle aluminum foil? Simply roll it into a ball as big as a baseball and pop it into your curbside recycling bin. This will ensure it gets picked up by the sorting machines. Recycling other aluminum items like aerosol cans, pots and pans, and any item with a cord or battery (referred to as e-waste) requires specialist services for recycling, so be sure to check your local rules.

How are aluminum cans recycled?

Once the aluminum cans are collected, they are taken to a recycling facility where they undergo the following steps:

• Sorting: if the cans are collected through single-stream curbside collection programs, first they’ll need to be sorted from the other materials.
• Shredding: The cans are shredded into small pieces to prepare them for melting.
• Melting: The shredded aluminum is melted in a furnace at high temperatures.
• Refining: Impurities are removed during the refining process to obtain high-quality aluminum.
• Casting: The molten aluminum is then cast into ingots or used to create new aluminum products, including new cans.

The recycled aluminum can be used to manufacture a wide range of products, including new aluminum cans, automotive parts, construction materials, and more.

Recycling aluminum cans not only conserves resources but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, making it an environmentally responsible choice. It’s an easy and effective way to contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.

So, the next time you finish a soda or a refreshing drink, remember that by recycling that aluminum can, you’re creating a better future for the Earth. You’re reducing waste, saving energy, and keeping our world cleaner and happier. Can you recycle aluminum cans? Absolutely! And it’s an easy, awesome way to make a positive impact.