Recycling has become a regular part of life that helps save resources while cleaning up the planet. There are many materials that are an important part of any recycling program, but aluminum recycling, in particular, offers unique qualities over other items, such as plastic or glass. Below are a few interesting facts about the process.

What to Know About Aluminum Recycling

1. More Than Cans

While aluminum cans from food and beverages are popular items for recycling, there are other places where aluminum is found that can also be repurposed through a recycling center. Car components, building materials, window and door frames, and even wiring and certain electronics all contain aluminum.

2. Unlimited Recycling

Aluminum ranks the highest as the most valuable part of your recycling. It can also be recycled over and over again without degrading over time. Aluminum is usually melted down into its liquid state before being molded into a new product, requiring much less need for new aluminum to be manufactured.

3. Green Choice

The energy saved from one can going through a recycling program is huge compared to other types of materials, like glass or plastic. Because it can be recycled repeatedly, it also reduces air and water pollution from greenhouse gases and other manufacturing waste and lowers the stress on natural resources.

4. Quick Turnaround

Aluminum recycling takes as little as two months to complete. This timeframe begins the moment cans enter the recycling center and extends to their new purpose and shipment to stores and shops. Because of this, it is better to recycle aluminum products instead of letting them sit in a landfill where the material can take more than a century to decompose.

5. Money Maker

Scrap metal recycling can earn you money, and aluminum is included in the types of metal recycling that can be exchanged for cash. Each year, the amount of money per can changes, but even when the amount is lower, collecting cans and aluminum scrap is an easy way to make a few extra dollars.

With more than a century of recycling services in Cincinnati and the Tri-State area, David Hirschberg Steel & Recycling Center provides quality metal recycling, including aluminum, stainless steel, alloy, iron, and scrap. Their recycling center is also equipped to handle rubber and paper along with a steel service center for fabrications and repairs. Call (513) 821-0514 to speak with a team member about their cash payments for recyclable materials or visit them online for more on their metal recycling offerings.