Why recycling aluminium cans is so important

The UK uses over 900,000 tonnes of aluminium, with around 73% of this having been recycled.  Due to the high unit value, large items such as those used for transport and building applications, achieve as much as a 95% rate of return for recycling.

However, the aluminium used for packaging is much more difficult to collect, as it is very light and is often discarded in every home, school, office, pub and restaurant.  This should not be the case, as auluminium is one of the easiest materials to recycle.

Here are some of the reasons why recycling your aluminium cans is so important:

• Aluminium is 100% recyclable.
• Aluminium can be recycled an infinite number of times.
• Making a new aluminium can from a recycled can requires five percent of the energy it would take to make one using raw materials.
• When you recycle an aluminium can it takes as little as 60 days for the item to be recycled, made into a new drinks can and be back on the shelves ready to be purchased.
• The number of aluminium cans recycled annually in the U.S. saves enough energy to light the Washington DC for 3.7 years.
• The energy saved from recycling a single aluminium can is enough to power a computer or television set for 3 hours.

For more information on aluminium recycling and collection centres throughout the UK, visit the Alupro website.