Fast Facts
- The largest source of aluminum in the municipal solid waste stream is aluminum used beverage containers and other packaging containers. 1
- The average aluminum can contains 40 percent postconsumer recycled aluminum. Recovering aluminum for recycling saves money and dramatically reduces energy consumption. The aluminum can recycling process saves 95 percent of the energy needed to produce aluminum from bauxite ore, as well as natural resources, according to the Aluminum Association. 2
What To Do
- Recycle cans with other recyclables. Contact your hauler to discuss their collection process. Many, but not all, haulers are now collecting items in a “single stream” recycling system, in which all materials are collected together and sorted at a Materials Recovery Center.
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Fast Fact Source
- Aluminum Facts on SolidWasteDistrict.com Web site (accessed November 21. 2008).
- Ibid.
