Benefits of Recycling Aluminum

In general, recycling is a concept that is associated with various benefits. Recycling can be defined as the process through which new products are created out of used and discarded materials. There are many different materials that are recyclable. This include paper, clothes, metal, glass, plastic, certain electronic goods, etc. Aluminum is one of those recyclable metals and, as per statistics, aluminum cans are among the most commonly recycled materials. As compared to most other recyclable materials, the advantage of aluminum is that it can be recycled indefinitely, as this process does not alter the structure of this metal.

How is Aluminum Recycling Beneficial?

Whether it be plastic, paper, metal or fabric, recycling is beneficial in various ways. Aluminum recycling is not a recently invented process and is a practice that has been followed from the early 1900's. Production of new aluminum involves electrolysis of aluminum oxide that is obtained from mined bauxite ore. This crude ore is refined (through Bayer process), before undergoing electrolysis. This is a process that requires use of large amounts of energy, and is hence expensive. Aluminum is one of the commonly used materials in day-to-day life and you can find various articles with aluminum. This include the most familiar beverage cans, cookware, bicycles, siding, automobiles, computers, wires, aircraft, etc. The process of recycling aluminum involves shredding of the scarp, which is melted in a furnace. The waste is discarded and the molten aluminum is used to make new products. Why is this metal recycled and what are the benefits of recycling aluminum? Let us find out.

• As in case of recycling paper and plastic, saving landfill space is one of the main benefits of aluminum recycling. According to recent studies, aluminum recycling saves around 60% of the landfill space.
• As most of the used and discarded aluminum articles are recycled, natural resources are saved. It is said that every one ton of recycled aluminum saves around four tons of bauxite ore.
• Even the energy required for producing new aluminum can be saved through recycling scrap. In fact, only five percent of the energy required for making new aluminum products, will be needed for recycling scrap. So, every single ton of recycled aluminum saves 1500 pounds of petroleum coke. It is said that the energy saved by recycling a single aluminum can is enough to run a television set for three hours.
• As far as the environmental benefits of aluminum recycling are concerned, the most important is reduction in pollution. As less energy is required to recycle aluminum (as compared to production of new ones), there is a significant reduction in emission of greenhouse gases.
• Apart from the environmental benefits, there are some economic benefits too. Aluminum being one of the commonly recycled materials, this business provides employment to thousands of people across the globe.
• In fact, the rate of scrap aluminum is very high, as compared to most of the other recyclable materials. This rate may vary slightly with the different types of aluminum scrap, like, cans, foil, utensils, rods, etc. Even the cost of recycling this metal is very low, when compared to the production of new aluminum.

In short, aluminum recycling is beneficial in various ways. So, instead of discarding them, you may collect scrap aluminum, like beverage cans and sell it for a good price. Unlike, plastic and certain other recyclable materials, scrap aluminum need not be washed and cleaned before recycling. So, by recycling aluminum you can not only gain financially, but also, save the environment.