The aluminum can is one manufactured item virtually found everywhere besides plastic. As it is commonly used in packaging beverages, it contributed 3.89 million tons to municipal solid waste. Fortunately, aluminum recycling has been on the uptake over the years. Below are a few more benefits to it. 

Why Recycle Aluminum?

1. Lessens Trash

Aluminum recycling helps reduce the amount of solid waste in landfills. Of the 3.89 million tons generated waste, 68 percent, or 2.66 million tons end up compacted and buried in landfills instead of reutilized as another material. Rather than add to the mounting garbage crisis, segregate cans for future reuse.

2. Reduces Mining

Aluminum comes from bauxite ore. Mining this natural resource involves disturbing the environment to have it extracted, affecting the ecosystem. Fortunately, the metal retains its atomic structure despite repeated melting, allowing it to maintain its intrinsic properties and be recycled infinitely.

3. Conserves Energy

Producing new cans from discarded or recovered ones consumes 95 percent less energy than manufacturing everything from scratch, which involves mining, shipping, and refining. Recycling even a single aluminum soda can conserves enough energy to power a 14-watt CFL bulb for 20 hours or a TV for about two hours. 

4. Reduces Carbon Footprint

Because recycling used or old aluminum products saves energy, it follows that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions as well. Reusing scrap metal lessens the amount of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and chlorofluorocarbons released into the atmosphere, driving climate change and air pollution. 

5. Helps Meet Rising Demand

There is a rising demand for aluminum, driven by increased consumption globally. Recycling discarded, old, and scrap metal products ensure this requirement can be met quickly, efficiently, and with minimal environmental impact. In fact, today’s beverage cans contain an average of 73 percent recycled content, indicating the resource’s high availability.

Interested in aluminum recycling? Take your used cans and old items for disposal to Holmes Iron & Metal Inc. in East Spencer, NC. They are a scrap metal recycling facility that accepts materials other than aluminum, such as iron, copper, and brass. Learn more about what they can take online, or call (704) 633-6119.