The use of aluminum cans is just second to that of plastic bags in the world today. Although they pose less threat than plastic bags despite it is a naturally occurring element, it may be as lethal and dangerous as plastic if not recycled. You must be wondering why we should bother recycling a naturally occurring element.
Well, the answer to that is aluminum recycling leads to economic and community benefit by not just saving time, money, and precious natural resources but also by generating jobs. Here are five most primary reasons why we must never forget about aluminum recycling.
Seriousness of the Problem
In the US alone each year more than 100 billion aluminum cans are sold. The count is almost similar for every other country throughout the world. Thus if all these are sent away to be used as landfills then it would be 1.5 million tons. If we fail to recycle all these then we would soon run low on one of the most important metals.
Effect on the Environment
The aluminum industry around the world each year emits millions of tons of greenhouse gases contributing to our ever rapidly growing Global Warming. Besides, if we keep manufacturing aluminum cans per each can that is not recycled then in the process of extracting aluminum from bauxite ore we leave a massive amount of toxic waste in the form of caustic mud.
Limitless Recycling
There is no limit to how many times aluminum can be recycled. That’s why recycling aluminum is such a boon for the environment. Aluminum is considered a sustainable metal, which means it can be recycled again and again with no loss of material. And it has never been cheaper, faster or more energy efficient to recycle aluminum than it is today. Aluminum cans are 100-percent recyclable, making them the most recyclable of all materials. The aluminum can you toss into your recycling bin today will be completely recycled and back on the store shelf in just 60 days.
Energy Saving
Up to 90-95% of the energy needed to manufacture aluminum from bauxite ore can be saved if we proactively recycle used aluminum products.
Landfilling equals to Waste of Energy
If we fail to recycle aluminum then the energy we waste can cost up to at least 16 million barrels of oil which is enough to keep a million cars running on the roads for at least a year.
Thus aluminum recycling is not just important it is essential for our own sustenance. The next time you buy a can of cola look for that recycling bin before throwing the can in just any dumpster.
