| Metal recycling is the most popular form of | | | | takes 2 months for an aluminum can to be |
| recycling in the United States. Steel and aluminum | | | | recycled into a new can and put back on the |
| can be infinitely recycled. Scrap metal is ferrous | | | | shelves ready for resale. In 2007, an impressive |
| metals (steel and iron) or nonferrous metals (tin, | | | | 54 billion cans were recycled, saving the energy |
| brass, copper, aluminum). Home appliances such as | | | | of 15 million barrels of crude oil. |
| dishwasher, washing machines, stoves, and | | | | The economic benefits of recycling aluminum cans |
| refrigerators are generally created from metal. | | | | are plentiful. Each year, the aluminum industry |
| Discarded appliances fit within 2 categories: | | | | buys over $800 million dollars worth of empty |
| refrigerants and non-refrigerants. | | | | cans to be recycled. This money can go to |
| Four Stages of Metal Recycling | | | | non-profit and charity organizations. Many such |
| There are 4 stages in metal recycling: collection, | | | | groups recycle cans to earn money for their |
| processing (where metal is compacted), shredding, | | | | organizations. When cans are recycled curbside, |
| and selling to mini mills that produce steel. This | | | | the money from the aluminum industry goes |
| recycling process requires 74 percent less energy | | | | toward community services. The aluminum |
| than the use of virgin materials. | | | | industry has even teamed up with organizations |
| Useful tips for unwanted appliances: | | | | like Habitat for Humanity, by allowing them to |
| 1. When you purchase a new appliance, ask the | | | | leave can drop-off boxes in several locations to |
| delivery driver to take the old one with him/her. | | | | raise money for housing individuals and families. |
| Companies either recycle the unit or properly | | | | Aluminum foil can usually be recycled with your |
| dispose of it. | | | | aluminum cans, but before doing that, it's always |
| 2. Ask a professional to take apart the discarded | | | | good to reuse it on other food items. Just wash it |
| appliance and remove the recyclable parts to take | | | | and let it dry with your dishes. |
| to your local recycling center. | | | | Many local super markets have recycling |
| 3. If the appliance is still functional, sell it on the | | | | machines. Cans are fed into a slot and depending |
| Internet, donate to a charity, give to a friend, or | | | | on which state you live in, you will get a voucher |
| list it on | | | | with the total amount of the cans you've |
| Benefits to Recycling Metal | | | | submitted. |
| Aluminum cans made their debut as beverage | | | | Metal recycling is essential to preserve our natural |
| containers in 1965. Because of the aluminum can's | | | | resources. You can help the environment by |
| ability to be recycled over and over again, it is the | | | | reusing aluminum foil and washing it before |
| most valuable recyclable container in America | | | | recycling (some cities won't take it if it's dirty), |
| today. Aluminum recycling provides community, | | | | buying cans instead of plastic or glass beverage |
| environmental, and economic benefits. | | | | containers, and of course, recycling the cans that |
| Environmental advantages include saving precious | | | | you do have. |
| natural resources, energy and money. It only | | | | |