WHAT IS ALUMINIUM RECYCLING?

WHAT IS ALUMINIUM RECYCLING?

This process has a main goal: To convert scrap aluminium into useful products. The goal is simple, and its benefits are multiple. First off, it’s more energy-efficient and affordable to recycle this metal instead of creating aluminium.

Recycling this metal consists in simply melting it again. Creating new aluminium requires a higher amount of energy and money, because it uses a complex processes which is based on the electrolysis of aluminium oxide. And this oxide is extracted from bauxite ore and refined using the Bayer Process, which also requires a significant amount of energy and resources.

ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF ALUMINIUM RECYCLING:

Now we will go in detail with the advantages and benefits of aluminium recycling. We have already seen an overview on the advantages, but now we are going to go in detail.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT:

The typical process of creating this metal is expensive and requires a significant amount of energy. On the other hand we have the recycling process, which barely requires about 5% of the energy used in the traditional extraction and creation process.

It’s calculated that the amount of energy saved by using this process is enough to power up to 4.4 million European homes. It alone brings a very clear vision on how much energy is saved by using this process instead of the traditional one.

It also saves the energy used in extracting Bauxite ore. Every single year recycling avoids 5% of the mining of this ore. Hence an important amount of energy is saved thanks to recycling.

aluminium recycling process

SAVES RESOURCES AND HELPS THE PLANET:

So how does it affect the environment? It was pointed out that recycling cans are the main source of scrap aluminium. Approximately 50% of these cans are recycled every single year totaling 105 million cans a year. Such an enormous quantity would be enough to build approximately 70,000 Boeing 737 airplanes. This gives us a vivid and clear image on how much aluminium is saved.

Even though every year 1.5 million tons of aluminium cans are wasted every single year, this practice of recycling this metal becomes more common and the amount of wasted cans will be reduced in the future. Another great thing about this metal is that it can be recycled over and over again without affecting its quality or composition. That’s why we still use 75% of the aluminium produced since the 1880s.

It also helps the planet by reducing greenhouse gases. This industry produces an important amount of carbon dioxide, which can be reduced if this metal is recycled instead of fabricated from scratch. The smelting of this metal also produces nitrogen oxide and sulfur oxide, two other damaging gases which are part of acid rain and smog.

HELPS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY:

This process can also be of great benefit for the local communities. This industry is reported to pay approximately 2 billion dollars every year for recycled aluminium cans. This money can be used to support several local organizations, churches, schools, etc.

Here lies a great opportunity for local communities which are looking for the acquisition of new funds. This is a never-ending campaign, because this industry is ready to buy all the aluminium cans possible. Some countries are still behind other countries like Switzerland, Norway, Finland and Germany which recycle up to 90% of these containers.

Aluminium used in Guttering

Many companies are now utilizing recycled aluminium in their manufacture of gutter systems. Bespoke Guttering use 90% recycled aluminium in their seamless gutters.

The main reasons for this sharp increase in gutter production is primarily due to its lightweight attributes, coupled with his durability. This is particularly advantageous with the UK weather system.

 

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