How Much Do You Know About… Aluminium?

Lightweight, durable, incredibly versatile, 100% recyclable and resistant to corrosion and rust. These are just some of the reasons why aluminium is the ideal choice for everything from the production of drink cans to construction materials. I forgot to mention that it’s very easy to melt and recast repeatedly with no loss of quality. There is a great value in aluminium waste.

Excited About Waste

Yes, we can’t deny that we do get excited about recycling waste but never more so than when the materials involved are as amazing as aluminium.

We’re going to take a quick look at some of the facts about aluminium now.
Recycling Aluminium – Some Quick Facts

• For every single tonne of aluminium that is recycled, 9 tonnes of CO2 emissions are saved.
• 75% of the aluminium ever produced is still in use today.
• Recycling aluminium creates 95% less greenhouse gas emissions than the amount that would have otherwise been released in the production of aluminium from raw materials.
• From the moment you recycle a drinks can it can take as little as six weeks for that material to be processed, refilled and placed back on a shelf for sale.
• Over 90% of the drinks cans on sale in the UK are made of aluminium.
• More than 9 million drinks cans are produced annually in the UK.
• In the UK alone, we use approximately 50,000 tonnes of aluminium packaging every year.
• Recycling just eight aluminium drinks cans saves enough energy to power a washing machine for 2 hours!
• Aluminium was actively recycled during the First World War when it played a vital role in the defence effort. The government actively encouraged families and businesses to donate their used scraps for the war effort using incentives.
• Producing aluminium from raw materials uses 90% more energy than recycling used aluminium.

Recycling Aluminium Is Cost Effective

In addition to being incredibly easy to process, this metal soon pays for itself when it is recycled, making it one of the most recycled materials in the world today. Demand for this material continues to grow and unlike some other metals, the recycling process for this material is highly economical.

Recycle Aluminium & Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
When aluminium is produced from raw materials, the process is complex and significantly more costly than the processes involved with recycling the used material.

We all have a responsibility as individuals and businesses to reduce waste and recycle our valuable waste materials and the fact that it is so easy and cost effective to recycle aluminium means that it is an important material to focus on in our waste streams.

If you’re looking for a reliable company to help with your waste management then have a read of our testimonials. We love waste and recycling but we love our customers even more.