Aluminum can recycling is not only easy but also highly beneficial: a single recycled can can be back on the shelves in just 60 days, ready to begin a new life cycle.
Recently, a young Argentine woman made headlines for collecting aluminum cans for a year, taking them to be recycled, and being surprised by the money she received.
Environmental Benefits of Aluminum
Aluminum is a unique resource: it can be recycled endlessly without losing its properties. This makes it one of the most sustainable materials on the planet.
Furthermore, the aluminum recycling process requires 95% less energy than production from raw materials like bauxite and generates a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
Variation in Aluminum Prices
The price of aluminum can vary depending on the type of aluminum and the location where it is sold. In Buenos Aires and Córdoba, the average price of high-quality aluminum (profiles and aerosols) ranges from $1400 to $1560 per kilogram, while second-quality aluminum (cans) varies between $850 and $1250, according to different specialized websites on scrap and metal sales.
The Recycling Process Step by Step
- Collection and Sorting: Cans are collected through household recycling systems or clean points. Then, they are separated from other materials using electromagnetic and optical systems.
- Cleaning and Crushing: Cans are washed to remove residues and crushed into small flakes for easier handling.
- Smelting: Aluminum flakes are melted in furnaces at temperatures above 660 °C, obtaining pure liquid aluminum.
- Molding and Transformation: The molten aluminum is molded into ingots or sheets that will be used to manufacture new cans or industrial products.
- Reuse: The new cans return to the market in record time, ready to start a new life cycle.
Positive Environmental Impact
- Energy Saving: Recycling a single can saves enough energy to keep a LED bulb lit for 20 hours.
- Waste Reduction: Recycling reduces the amount of solid waste ending up in landfills or the environment.
- Resource Conservation: It avoids bauxite extraction, preserving ecosystems and reducing mining-related pollution.
The importance of recycling aluminum cans
The Aluminum Circular Economy: An Example to Follow
Aluminum recycling is a fundamental pillar of the circular economy, a sustainable model where materials are not discarded but continuously reused. This approach reduces the dependence on natural resources, promotes sustainability, and encourages job creation in the recycling industry.
How You Can Be Part of the Change
- Sort and Recycle: Make sure to correctly separate aluminum cans and deposit them in appropriate containers.
- Crush Cans: Reduce their volume to facilitate transportation and handling at recycling plants.
- Promote Awareness: Educate your community about the importance of recycling and its benefits for the environment.
Benefits of Aluminum Can Recycling
- Energy Saving: Recycling aluminum consumes 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials (bauxite).
- Emission Reduction: It significantly decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with aluminum extraction and refining.
- Resource Preservation: The need to extract bauxite is reduced, protecting natural habitats and lowering environmental impact.
- Circular Economy: Promotes a sustainable system where materials are reused instead of being discarded.
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