Aluminium Can Work for The World

For over one hundred years aluminium has been a firm favourite in fabrication as well as highly rated for recycling. Its lightweight properties make it a top candidate for all sorts of engineering fetes, from aircraft and automobiles to computers, cookware and cans.

Due to aluminium recycling being way more efficient than producing new aluminium, 75% of the world’s aluminium currently in use is made up of recycled products. Aluminium can be infinitely recycled at 5% of the energy it would take to make it new from ore, even with transportation emissions taken into consideration.

When it comes to beverage cans, the figures are astronomical. Each year the world goes through around 180 billion cans. That’s just under 7000 a second. With 125 billion of those cans being recycled, it’s easy to see why beverage companies favour the aluminium can.

The process by which we recycle cans starts with the consumer. Cans can be taken to a recycling bin specifically for aluminium. From the recycling bin, the cans will be collected and taken to a processing plant.

Once at the processing plant, the cans will be cleaned and prepared for processing. Next, they will be heated to a melting point, this bit of the process burns away any paint or coatings the can may have. Once melted, the molten aluminium is poured into moulds and form what are called ‘ingots’. These ingots each contain around 1.5 million cans.

Ingots end up back with the manufacturers of aluminium cans. They’re rolled out into sheets of aluminium that are flexible, yet strong. The aluminium is now processed into a new can and can be back on shop shelves in as quick as 6 weeks.

Due to the high value of used aluminium in the process of manufacturing new, recycling schemes world-wide run an efficient and simple process. If you’re unsure whether a can is aluminium and are unable to see the discernible logos, you can check whether your can is aluminium using a magnet. The inside of your fridge will be lined with a magnetic strip, if the can doesn’t stick, it’s good to be recycled.

Here at NuWater, we take the environment seriously. That’s why we only use recyclable materials in our packaging. Investing in mother natures good health is a global effort and the more we recycle, the less we pollute. Cleaning up our impact on the world as a whole will secure a brighter future for generations to come.Know more about how aluminium can help our environment.