The next time you open an ice cold can of soda or beer, think of how that handy little drink container could mean a lot to saving the earth. According to SITA Australia, the site for sustainable resource recovery management, approximately 10 percent of the country’s electricity is utilised in producing new aluminium cans. Recycling used ones, therefore, can save a huge amount of energy; in fact, one recycled can is equivalent to the amount of energy needed to power up a television for three hours!
Energy used in aluminium
The creation of aluminium products requires a significant quantity of energy, and results in greenhouse gas emissions that influence global warming. Producing new aluminium stocks emits one percent of these gases, according to the International Aluminium Institute. Aluminium industries are making it their priority to reduce such emissions by increasing the use of recycled aluminium in air and water transport, trains and vehicles.
Recycled aluminium
Aluminium can be recycled without losing the metal’s quality. Most of the products manufactured are still in use today as they can be recycled multiple times. Replacing heavy metals with aluminium in automotive design/manufacturing is one of the pivotal advancements for which recycled aluminium proved to be an advantage. It not only lessens the vehicle’s weight but also significantly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released during production.
Most of the recycled aluminium are either vehicle parts, beverage cans or scrap metal collected from the production of aluminium products.
Preparing aluminium for recycling
To contribute to the effort toward a sustainable environment, you can collect aluminium leftovers from your business for recycling and send them to scrap yards, or call scrap metal merchants to collect the items. Recycling services, like Global Resources International Pty Ltd for instance, buy aluminium lithographic sheets, new and old/used 6063 extrusions, and new and old/used 6061 extrusions with not more than 10 percent alloy or painted parts.
For items in NSW, you may deliver the scrap metal at St Mary’s or drop them in designated locations. For non-business products like cans and containers, prepare them for recycling. Below is a guide to getting them ready for recycling.
Recycling Tips – Sort it, check it, keep it clean
• Make sure your aluminium cans are empty. Cans which only contained thin liquids like soft drinks or juices don’t need to be rinsed – if you shake them out until there are no more drips, that’s clean enough.• Don’t put aluminium cans inside anything else, like boxes, bags or other containers. Make sure everything inside your recycling bin is loose, and not tied or attached to anything else – even other things made of the same material.
(Source: “Aluminium Cans,” SITA Australia)
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