1. science
2. ecology
3. waste management
4. recycling

Aluminum is a sustainable metal and can be recycled
over and over again. A can is generally turned into a new
can and back on store shelves within 60 days.
How to Recycle Aluminum Cans:
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If a magnet won’t stick to your food can, chances are it
is aluminum.
By rinsing out aluminum cans, it will help prevent
odors and insect issues.
Try to make sure that the cans are clean and dry.
There is no need to crush cans before recycling them;
however, doing so can save you space in your home
and at the curb, or unnecessary trips to the recycling
center.
No aluminum pie plates, tin, steel, scrap metal or
other such materials should be mixed in.
What is Made from Recycled Aluminum Cans?
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Aluminum can be recycled into a lot of different products such as tractor trailer and car bodies
However, aluminum cans usually become new aluminum
cans.
Recycling aluminum does not reduce the quality of the
metal, so it can be recycled indefinitely.
With a constant demand for aluminum cans, manufacturers can have an aluminum can back on store shelves
as a new can in as little as 60 days of being recycled.
Producing new cans from recycled aluminum saves 95%
of the energy used to produce cans from ore, known as
bauxite.
Environmental Benefits of Recycling Aluminum Cans:
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Recycling aluminum cans saves precious natural r
sources, energy, time and money.
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Aluminum cans are unique: Within 60 days, a can is rec
cled, turned into a new can and back on store shelves.
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Aluminum is a sustainable metal and can be recycled
over and over again.
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In 2007, 54 billion cans were recycled, saving the energy
equivalent of 15 million barrels of crude oil - America's
entire gas consumption for one day.
Economic Benefits of Recycling Aluminum Cans:
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The aluminum can is the most valuable container to r
cycle and highest consumer recycling rate in the U.S.
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Each year, the aluminum industry pays out more than
$800 million dollars for empty aluminum cans — that's
a lot of money that can go to organizations like Habitat
for Humanity, the Boy or Girl Scouts of America or even
a local school.
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Today it is cheaper, faster and more energy-efficient to
recycle aluminum than ever before. The aluminum can
is 100 percent recyclable and can be recycled indef
nitely.
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Other types of aluminum, such as siding, gutters, car
components, storm window frames and lawn furniture
can also be recycled.
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Aluminum has a high market value and continues to
provide an economic incentive to recycle. When aluminum cans are recycled curbside, they help pay for community services.
Community Benefits of Recycling Aluminum Cans:
Aluminum can recycling enables charitable organizations and groups to earn funds to further local projects.
 The money earned enhances programs, communities and improves the quality of people's lives.
 From a local can drive to raise money for school improvements, to a Boy or Girl Scout troop "Cans Into
Cash" competition to pay for camp, recycling is
used all over the country to help others.
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A perfect example of this is the Cans for Habitat program.
 Through a national partnership between the Aluminum Association and Habitat for Humanity International, aluminum cans are recycled via a network of
drop-off locations to raise money for Habitat for
Humanity to build decent, affordable housing with
low-income families.
 Just by recycling a can once destined for the landfill, you are keeping our local environment clean,
providing a needed resource for the aluminum recycling process, and most importantly, helping provide local housing to those in need.
 It's a win-win for the individual, community, business, industry and the environment.
Steel, including cans commonly used for anything from
coffee to soup to pet food, is one of the most recycled
materials in the U.S.
How To Recycle Steel Cans:
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Steel cans require minimal preparation before they can be
placed in your recycling bin.
Steel containers are usually comprised entirely of steel,
meaning that the entire container can be put in with your
recycling (including caps and lids).
1. Empty the can and take the lid completely off.
2. You can rinse your cans at the end of washing up to
avoid wasting water (optional).
3. Place any loose metal lids, including jam jar lids and
bottle tops, inside the can.
4. Squeeze can at the top to save space in your recycling
bin or crate and also to stop possible contaminants
from getting into the can.
Note: you don't need to remove the labels, but the paper ones are
recyclable if you wish to recycle them in your paper bin.
Benefits of Recycling Steel Cans:
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Steel cans are so abundant in our daily life that you probably go through one every day.
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Recycling steel prevents the need to mine additional iron
and coal, the primary ingredients to make new steel.
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Producing new steel from virgin materials requires more
non-renewable energy than steel made from recycled steel.
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Because steel is a metal, it can be easily separated from
other recyclables (e.g. paper, glass) using magnets.
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Steel is the building material of choice for most construction
projects because of its strength and durability.
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Steel recycling saves landfill space as well as provides a
scrap resource to the steel industry.
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Steel is a key component of car parts and household appliances, and recycled steel has the same strength as new
steel when used in these devices.
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Unlike other materials (e.g. paper, glass), steel does not
need to be separated by color or size before it is recycled; it
can all be melted down at once.
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Steel containers have the versatility to hold a variety of
products, from food to paint to shoe polish. They simply
need to be rinsed before they are ready to recycle.
Products Made from Recycled Steel:
Pretty much all of the steel produced today utilizes some
form of recycled content. When you buy a steel product
(from a soup can to a washing machine), it's generally manufactured with recycled steel.
Some of the different products that are made with recycled
steel include:
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Appliances
Bridges
Cans
Cars/trucks
Construction materials
Desks
File cabinets
Fire hydrants
Guard rails
Utility poles
Steel recycling is an infinite process because steel does not
lose durability or quality through the recycling process. While
some raw materials are mixed in during manufacturing, starting with recycled steel makes the process less expensive and
more eco-friendly.