Aluminum Recycling
by Michelle Cattlett

The aluminum can is ideal for recycling. Recycling aluminum conserves energy and fuel, and the aluminum can is completely recyclable. Recycling aluminum requires only 5 percent of the energy initially required to make aluminum from bauxite ore. The recycling process eliminates the most energy intensive part of the manufacturing process: mining, shipping, refining, and reduction.

Mining the bauxite ore is the first step of the aluminum production process. Once mined, it is shipped to a refining plant, where the ore is crushed and chemically treated to produce aluminum in the form of a powdery oxide. Finally, the aluminum is separated from the oxygen by shooting an electrical current through a chemical mixture. The molten metal is drawn off, cast, and finally manufactured into cans and other products. One ton of bauxite ore produces only 500 pounds of pure aluminum.

A recycled aluminum can returns for sale to consumers in as little as 90 days after collection, re-melting, rolling, manufacturing, and distribution. That means a consumer could buy basically the same can four times a year. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to bum a 100 W bulb for three and one half hours. One pound of recycled aluminum saves the resources required to generate 7.5 kW-hours of electricity. Facilities that melt used aluminum are built in half the time and at one tenth the cost of that required for facilities which mine, refine, and make aluminum. And finally, recycled aluminum creates a "domestic supply" of aluminum, reducing our dependence on imported bauxite ore that is usually mined overseas, adding to the cost of original aluminum production.

Where to Recycle your Cans on Campus

Aluminum can recycling bins are located in every building on the CSM campus, near soft drink machines and in many offices and classrooms.

References:
http://www.ces.msstate.edu/pubs/pub1672.htm
http://www.obviously.com/recycle/
The EarthWorks Group The Recycler's Handbook