Facts About Aluminum Can Recycling
Aluminum is one of the most recycled and recyclable packaging materials around. Making products out of recycled aluminum uses 95 percent less energy than making products out of virgin materials. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The first aluminum can recycling center opened in 1904 in Chicago. Since then, aluminum has maintained its stature as the most recycled material, consistently beating out glass.
Features
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Aluminum can be recycled indefinitely and can be made into beverage containers, building materials, electronics frames and car parts.
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Benefits
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Recycling aluminum cans saves energy and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. according to the Aluminum Association.
Potential
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The Aluminum Association has set a goal to recycle 75 percent of all aluminum beverage containers by 2015. The United States recycles approximately 54 percent.
Fun Fact
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According to the Can Manufacturers Institute, a used aluminum container can be recycled and returned to a store shelf in about 60 days.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Courtesy of Alex Dodge on Wikimedia Commons
