Reasons to Recycle Aluminum Cans

When you take your aluminum cans to a recycling center, the cans are collected, processed and turned into new cans. It is an entirely self-sustaining process. It also is a process that holds many benefits for the environment, the community and even your wallet. Recycling is often thought of, but not done nearly as much as it should be. Every minute, an average of 113,204 aluminum cans are recycled. That is only 50 percent of the cans that are out there.

Doing Your Part

Recycling in itself is important. Recycling things like aluminum is especially important, because aluminum is a nonrenewable resource. Aluminum is an element, meaning it cannot be made. It must be found. By recycling your aluminum cans, you save time and energy that would have gone into finding and harvesting more aluminum.

Aluminum is Different

As with all recycling, recycling aluminum cans helps preserve the environment and is economically sound. Aluminum is slightly different, however, in that it has a rather quick turn-around time. It only takes 60 days from the the time you recycle an aluminum can to when it is back on the shelf as a new can. Manufacturing aluminum cans from recycled materials takes 95 percent less energy than using raw materials.

Aluminum for Money

Aluminum cans provide the highest economic return of any other recyclable material. This is probably why aluminum cans are the most recycled item each year. Depending on where you recycle your cans, you can earn a flat rate per can, or get paid based on weight. Each year, $800 million dollars is paid out from aluminum can recycling.

Use the Whole Can

Aluminum recycling has progressed throughout the years. Recycling aluminum is now cheaper, faster and more energy efficient than ever before. This comes in handy, because when an aluminum can is recycled, the entire can is recycled. Aluminum can be recycled over and over, indefinitely, making aluminum the most recyclable material available. It's not just cans. Aluminum siding, lawn furniture, gutters, and so on also can be recycled.

Build a Community

Aluminum cans raise a lot of money for charitable organizations. Drop-off containers are set out for organizations, such as Cans For Habitat, where you can deposit your aluminum cans. The cans are collected, recycled, and the money earned goes toward building these community programs. The money raised by Cans For Habitat goes toward building houses for people who need them.