The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Aluminum Cans

Recycling aluminum cans is an easy and effective way to help the environment. By recycling just one aluminum can, you can save enough energy to power a television for three hours! The benefits of recycling go beyond saving energy; it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves natural resources, and helps create jobs in the recycling industry.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the environmental advantages of recycling aluminum cans. We’ll discuss how recycled materials are used in production processes as well as look at ways that individuals can start making a difference by participating in local aluminum can collection programs. Finally, we’ll highlight some success stories from communities that have successfully implemented large-scale aluminum can collection initiatives.

So, let’s get started exploring the many environmental benefits associated with recycling aluminum cans!

Call 1-888-586-5322 For Aluminum Can Recycling in Indianapolis Indiana
Call 1-888-586-5322 For Aluminum Can Recycling in Indianapolis Indiana

The Ecological Benefits of Aluminum Can Recycling

Reduction of Energy Consumption Nationwide

One of the biggest advantages to recycling aluminum cans is that it reduces energy consumption. Aluminum production requires a lot of energy, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, producing recycled aluminum uses 95 percent less energy than producing new aluminum from raw materials. In addition to this energy savings, recycling also allows manufacturers to save on costs associated with procuring and processing raw materials – meaning that recycled aluminum can be produced at lower costs than virgin aluminum!

Management of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Recycling aluminum cans also helps keep greenhouse gas emissions in check by reducing the need for mining operations and transportation of materials used in production processes like smelting ore into metal. The EPA estimates that every ton of recycled aluminum prevents 10 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Finally, recycling aluminum cans conserves natural resources by reducing the need to mine new materials from the earth. Aluminum is a non-renewable resource, and it can take up to 500 years for recycled aluminum cans to be reprocessed into new ones. This means that every can recycled today helps preserve our planet’s limited resources for future generations.

How to Contribute to Aluminum Preservation in the U.S.

So how do individuals make an impact? The first step is to identify local aluminum can collection programs in your community or start one of your own! Many municipalities have implemented curbside pickup services for recyclables, so check with your city or town hall to see what options are available near you. Additionally, schools, churches and other organizations may hold periodic trash collection events that accept aluminum cans. Finally, there are many online resources available to help you find the closest recycling locations or start a local initiative of your own.

In recent years, some communities have made great strides in their aluminum can recycling efforts. In Los Angeles, for example, the Department of Water and Power’s Recycling Program successfully collected over 95 million cans in 2019 – setting a new record! And in Charlotte County, Florida, the Solid Waste Division recently launched an ambitious program to collect 1 million aluminum cans over a six-month period – achieving that goal two months ahead of schedule! These successes serve as inspiring examples of how individual and collective efforts can make a real difference when it comes to protecting our environment. 

Get Started With Aluminum Recycling Today!

At the end of the day, there are many environmental benefits associated with recycling aluminum cans. From reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to conserving natural resources, recycling aluminum cans is an easy and effective way for individuals to make a positive impact on our planet. So, take a look at what programs or initiatives are available in your area – or start one of your own! – and join the movement to help protect our environment for future generations.

If you’re looking to sell scrap aluminum cans and materials, it’s important to do your research to ensure you get the best possible price for your scrap metal. Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a professional scrap metal buyer about aluminum recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana. There is no end to the types of metals we buy – we take it all, regardless of age or condition!

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Top 3 Applications of Aluminum Anodizing

In its natural state, aluminum has a thin protective layer of oxide that makes it resistant to damage and corrosion. The more pure the metal, the higher the resistance. But in the metals market, many aluminum commodities are manufactured with other alloying agents, such as nickel, iron, copper, and steel. This makes them more vulnerable to abrasion and corrosion. For this reason, many metal manufacturers are using a process known as anodizing to strengthen aluminum’s resistance to damage. Continue reading to learn more about the anodizing process and the top three most common applications in the metals industry.

Aluminum Metal Recycling 1-888-586-5322

Aluminum Metal Recycling 1-888-586-5322

The Process of Anodizing

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that promotes the formation of an additional, thicker layer of aluminum oxide to aluminum alloys. This provides more strength and resistance to corrosion and damage faster than it could naturally. The anodization does not strengthen the aluminum base material; it only adds an additional layer of protection that retains a higher resistance to wear and tear. It can be effective for other metals, but it has the biggest impact on aluminum. The process starts by dipping the metal object into a reservoir filled with an electrolytic solution and a cathode made of aluminum or lead. Next, an electrical current is passed through the aluminum, which is acting as the anode. This current promotes and expedites the oxidation of the aluminum.

The three most common applications for anodizing:

Corrosion Resistance

Commodities that benefit the most from anodizing are those that are at risk of corrosion. This includes commodities that are regularly submerged or in contact with water, including boats, dock structures, auto parts, plumbing, and more.

Abrasion Resistance

Non-anodized aluminum alloys are softer and more malleable than oxidized aluminum alloys. Anodizing provides additional protection against abrasion, fracture, and other forms of damage. In fact, it is so highly resistant to abrasion that aluminum oxide is often used to manufacture sandpaper.

Dyeing

Dyeing is the process of integrating color into aluminum alloy commodities, such as bikes, parts, tools, and more. Since the layer of oxide that forms from anodizing is porous, the dyeing process is easier than without the protective layer.

Recycle Your Scrap Aluminum for Cash

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle aluminum in Central and Southern Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as, junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and much more! Get rid of your junk and make some fast cash at the same time.