How to recycle aluminum

Aluminum can be recovered thanks to the recycling plans that are carried out for after the consumption of this product. This is the process that is followed to recycle aluminum according to the “Guide for journalists on aluminum recycling” of Arpal and Apia⁽¹⁾:

1. Collection in the yellow container: Aluminum collection of recycling containers is made to transfer it to the recycling plant.
2. Separation: In the recycling plant the aluminum is separated through different classification phases: first those large materials that are not made of aluminum (plasticized and plastic paper) are separated, then a magnet separates other materials, such as steel or impurities that are not aluminum, later it is passed through a cylinder that is rotating to continue eliminated other types of materials and finally it is transported by an electromagnetic tape They escaped from the previous phase. The end is to eliminate those heavy metals that would make aluminum recycling difficult.
3. Cleaning and preparation for casting: Aluminum crushes to create blocks, all of the same size and weight. The aluminum blocks that have been formed are cut and pass through a separator to find any trace of another metal and separate it.
4. Foundry: Then it passes to an oven to be cast at 750 ° C, passing its liquid shape in its solid shape.
5. Molding: Liquid aluminum is processed to turn it into new aluminum or sheets, which will be transformed for new use.

You may ask how aluminum cans are recycled, since it is one of the most common aluminum objects in homes and that we can manage to recycle it. The cans follow the same process explained, but in the last phase, the aluminum block that forms is heated and pressed until a sheet with a thickness of 2 mm, which will be rolled and that aluminum roll is sent to the cans factories. Depending on the new use to be given to aluminum, the last step will be made in one way or another.

What container is aluminum? It all depends on the waste management of each country, since the container can change shape and color. For example, in Spain, aluminum is deposited in The yellow containerdestined to plastic containers and other light containerssuch as cans, aluminum trays, tapas and metal plugs, aerosols or metal boats. In this container the Briks are also deposited because they are largely composed of aluminum and plastic (polyethylene). Therefore, in Spain, aluminum is deposited in the yellow container.

We recommend reading this article where we explain what is thrown into the yellow container.

Do you know how we can recycle aluminum at home? Really to recycle it we would only have to, previously separate at home all those aluminum or aluminum components waste They can be part of a container. For example, the Bricks have an aluminum sheet or in some of the glass bottles we find metal covers, so it is important to extract those components and then recycle them. Once the separation is made, aluminum waste is taken to the corresponding container depending on the country or region in which we are. Here you can learn more about how to recycle trash at home.

Of course, we can also opt for Reuse aluminum to give a new use to the waste we already have. Some ideas are the following:

• Manufacture our own screen for a lamp or a curtain with cans of the cans.
• With a large can of canned we can make a nice jeweler to store accessories. We would only have to clean the can, paint or line it with some type of paper or fabric (also fodder) and divide it into (with a thick cardboard or rigid plastic strips) to have several compartments.
• Using cans as bird feeders is another good option to reuse this aluminum.
• Make small planters to decorate your home using cans. Here we explain several ideas about how to make pots recycled with this and other materials.

If you like to reuse things to recycle them at home by giving them more uses, here we leave you several UPCyCling ideas.

We have mentioned before aluminum is obtained from a mineral called bauxite and this is easily found in nature. However, Its extraction is really expensive at an energy levelthat’s why it’s so important reduce its consumption, reuse or recycle itsince approximately 95% of the energy cost that is needed for extraction would be saved. In addition, we are facing a material that maintains its properties when it is recycled and is very demanding for being so malleable and resistant.

Now that you know how to recycle aluminum, we advise that if you want to discover more on this topic, you enter this link to our article about why it is important to recycle. In addition, here we leave you a video about the importance of recycling all types of materials.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auj4bxmhl-8

If you want to read more articles similar to How to recycle aluminumwe recommend that you enter our recycling and waste management category.