Facts About Recycling Aluminum Cans
Overview
It may be hard to believe that the ubiquitous aluminum beverage cans have only been around since 1965, according to Earth911.org. Aluminum has grown from an industry producing a mere 340,000 tons of municipal solid waste in 1960 to 3.4 million tons in 2008. Aluminum is the material of choice for 99 percent of all beer cans and 97 percent of all soft drink cans, based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures. With the amount being generated, you may wonder how much is being recycled.
Benefits
Recycling aluminum cans represents a tremendous energy savings. The EPA estimates that recycling cans uses less than 10 percent of the energy of manufacturing cans from virgin ore. The energy savings are due in part to how aluminum is recovered. Bauxite ore must be mined and then refined in order to make aluminum cans. According to the Mineral Information Institute, Australia is the world's top producers of this ore, with the U.S. contribution only negligible. The energy savings include the cost of importing aluminum.
Significance
Recycling of aluminum cans has grown steadily over the years. In 2007, nearly 50 percent of the aluminum cans generated was recovered through recycling. If you are one of the many Americans who recycle aluminum cans for money, you had your share of the approximately $1 billion in revenue Americans make each year, according to the Can Manufacturers Institute.
Environmental Benefits
One of the most important environmental benefits is the reduction of landfill waste when you recycle rather than discard aluminum cans. The Can Manufacturers Institute estimates that recycling prevented 1.7 billion pounds from being added to the nation's landfills. According to Earth911.org, aluminum can be continually recycled. The recycled products are durable and reusable. The turnaround from recycling to a new can of pop or beer is about six weeks, according to the EPA.
Recycling Centers
Earth911.org can assist you in locating a recycling center in your area. You should also contact your waste management service to look into recycling options in your area. Curbside recycling is available in many communities, making it an easy option for recycling your aluminum cans.
Charitable Causes
Recycling aluminum cans is one way in which you can support charitable activities. The Recycle Challenge program provides assistance for schools to earn money from recycling aluminum cans. The program is funded by the Aluminum Can Council, with assistance from Anheuser-Busch. The Aluminum Association also runs its own "Cans for Causes" program which provides fundraising assistance to all organizations including Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. Not only can you help the environment, but you can also support worthy causes by recycling aluminum cans.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/140474-facts-about-recycling-aluminum-cans/#ixzz1KInS7XF3
No comments:
Post a Comment