| The typical American consumes 2.5 cans of soda or | | | | recycled cans takes the same amount of energy that |
| other beverages each day. Each can is worth | | | | 1 new can takes. A recycled can saves enough |
| approximately 1 cent. Every time we throw away an | | | | energy to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 3.5 hours. |
| empty can rather than recycling it, we are throwing | | | | Recycling 7 cans keeps that light bulb going for the |
| away more than just a penny. Recycling has many | | | | entire day. Throwing away an empty can is equivalent |
| benefits beyond the spare change that a bag of cans | | | | to throwing away half a can of gasoline. |
| could obtain at a local recycling center. | | | | The benefits of recycling cans are numerous. The |
| Recycling an aluminum can conserves energy. | | | | most obvious benefit is the conservation of natural |
| Reduce, reuse, recycle are the main principles of | | | | resources. The energy savings mentioned above are |
| waste management. Recycling is taking an old used | | | | also beneficial. Recycling cuts down on pollution |
| product at the end of its life cycle, and transforming it | | | | produced in the manufacturing of new aluminum cans. |
| into a new useable material. A used can will be | | | | The benefit recycling has for charitable organizations |
| recycled and back on the shelf with new liquid in 60 | | | | are often overlooked. The recycling industry pays out |
| days. None of the cans is wasted and 100% of the | | | | over 800 million dollars for used empty aluminum cans. |
| can will be recycled. It is possible to recycle cans over | | | | Money can be raised by recycling cans to fund charity |
| and over again. There is no limit to the number of | | | | projects. Habitat for Humanity is one charity that funds |
| times that aluminum can be reprocessed. | | | | many of their housing projects from money raised |
| The recycling process is simple. The old cans are | | | | from recycling aluminum cans. Cans for Habitat is a |
| stripped of their labeling and décor and broken | | | | partnership between the Aluminum Association and |
| into tiny potato chip size pieces. Those pieces are then | | | | Habitat. This program has been around for 10 years. |
| mixed and melted with new aluminum. The combination | | | | Over 600 Habitat affiliates collect cans to raise money |
| of old and new aluminum is fed to a mill which rolls it | | | | to build homes. |
| out and reduces the thickness. The aluminum is coiled | | | | There are several ways to donate cans for recycling. |
| and sent to can manufacturers who shape the | | | | Curbside pickup is available in many cities. Schools, |
| aluminum into cans and lids. It is then sent to the | | | | churches, or work may have recycling bins handy. |
| beverage manufacturers to be filled. New non | | | | Charities such as Habitat accept donations of cans. |
| recycled aluminum cans are made from bauxite ore. 4 | | | | Recycling centers will purchase bags of cans based |
| tons of ore are required to make 1 ton of aluminum. | | | | on weight. With so many options available, there is |
| Recycling takes 95% of the energy is takes to | | | | really no good excuse not to recycle cans. |
| produce a brand new can from raw materials. Twenty | | | | |