The aluminium recycling process is an effective way of reducing the impact on the environment. It can help us save sufficient energy in the long run. However, the process goes beyond sustainability. It can be used to save a considerable amount of money. It also opens up multiple job options for individuals.
The 28th Conference of Parties, held in 2023 in Dubai, stressed the importance of reprocessing used beverage cans made of aluminium. COP28 sent a message to the industry leaders, asking them to reach an 80% recycling rate for cans by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
Here we will look at the aluminium recycling benefits and how this process is carried out.
Advantages of the aluminium recycling process:
• Energy savings
Aluminium cans recycling is an energy conservative process. It requires about 95% less energy than producing a new can. Millions of homes can be powered every year using this energy. This again reduces stress on non-renewable energy sources frequently used to generate electricity. The greenhouse gas emissions into the surroundings are reduced.
• Reduced environmental impact
Primary aluminium production requires significant energy and resources to be processed into cans. This can be eliminated with the recycling process. Resource conservation can reduce carbon emissions. The environmental impact is minimised to a considerable extent. The amount of water used is also considerably less compared to the primary production process, which helps save water resources.
• Cost-effectiveness
Producing aluminium cans from scratch is expensive. Processing raw materials into cans of desired shapes and sizes costs a lot of money. This can be avoided with recycling, which is much more cost-efficient. The entire production process can also be completed within a minimum period, which helps save quite a lot of money.
• Better employment opportunities
The recycling process has led to the addition of jobs in multiple industries. Thousands of sustainable jobs open up in various sectors. These jobs mainly involve sorting, collecting, and reprocessing aluminium cans from scrap metal. This leads to overall economic growth. The people involved in the process can earn a source of living for themselves.
• Enhanced community engagement
This is one of the major benefits of aluminium recycling. The process fosters community engagement, spreads awareness about sustainable processes, encourages more businesses and individuals to take part in environmental conservation activities, and helps build a culture of stewardship and responsibility.
The aluminium can recycling process:
• Collecting
Discarded beverage cans are accumulated from various dustbins. Specialised trucks gather the scraps, which are transported to the recycling facilities.
• Sorting
The cans are separated from other waste materials. Most facilities use eddy current separators to sort out the scrap materials.
• Shredding
The sorted materials are cut and shredded into small pieces, reducing the volume. The entire aluminium waste recycling process can also take place smoothly.
• Cleaning
The metal parts are properly washed to remove all kinds of impurities. Different chemicals are used to remove fluids and food substances from the surface of the cans.
• Melting
The shredded metal pieces are placed into large furnaces. They are then heated to high temperatures. This helps melt the scrap pieces so that new items can be formed.
• Purifying
During melting, many impurities are collected at the surface. These include paint and other materials from the original can. These materials are removed to enhance purity.
• Moulding
Molten aluminium is put into moulds, cooled, and solidified into large ingots. The ingots are rolled into thin sheets, cut, and shaped into new cans.
Parting thoughts
Reprocessing of aluminium is a perfect example of a circular economy. This process ensures that the same metal is used for a long time. As per the International Aluminium Institute, 70% of beverage cans are recycled and made into new products. This helps extract their maximum value. To learn more about the latest advancements being made in the aluminium recycling process, you may reach out to the experts at AL Biz, and you will get the relevant details.
