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Did you know that recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to run a television set? Crazy, huh? The Aluminum Association reports that recycled aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to make new aluminum. Unfortunately, even though aluminum is infinitely recyclable, less than 50% actually gets recycled. This, in turn, creates a massive waste to the environment as well as the American economy, as recycled aluminum currently makes up more than 80% of our aluminum production. Today, we want to share with you how easy the aluminum recycling process is and how you can turn your scrap aluminum into cash!

How the Aluminum Recycle Process Works:

The aluminum recycling process is a highly efficient system that has been perfected over the past four decades, here is how it works:

Step 1: Collection

Step 1 relies on the general public, like you, and local businesses to initiate. Most commonly, aluminum recycling stems from beverage cans, such as soda and alcohol. However, it can also come from automotive parts, building scrap, and industrial parts. Instead of throwing your aluminum away, collect it in a separate bin and bring it to your local recycling center.

Step 2: Sorting

Once you arrive at your recycling center with your aluminum, your facility staff will sort through, evaluate, and pay you for your scrap metal. Once confirmed, the customer heads home with some extra cash, and then the facility team further sorts the aluminum into proper categories to begin the aluminum recycling process.

Step 3: Shredding

Once sorted, the aluminum products will be placed into a large machine for shredding. The shredding process aids step 4 by providing a larger surface area for melting while making it easier to remove external contaminants.

Step 4: Melting

Into the fire it goes! The shredded aluminum will be placed into a massive furnace at approximately 1220° F. This melting process transforms the shredded pieces into molten aluminum while vaporizing any external contaminants.

Step 5: Forming

Once all of the aluminum has turned molten, it will be cast into various forms, like sheets, to cool. These cooled products are then used for future manufacturing. For example, aluminum sheets are commonly sent to can manufacturers, whose innovative machines can produce a whopping 3,000 beverage cans per minute!

Before you know it, the aluminum will be back in your hands once again in the form of another product!

Aluminum Recycling Process at Community Recycling

At Community Recycling, our facility recycles non-ferrous metals, including aluminum products. These include alloys, extrusions, cans, radiators, shavings, sheets, siding, and more. For those who aren’t sure what their product is made of, bring it on in and we can tell you!

To get started with our aluminum recycling process, all you have to do is collect your recyclables, separate your aluminum recyclables into a separate bin, and then bring them to us for evaluation. We are happy to exchange your scrap aluminum for cash! Your rate will be based on the market value of aluminum on that date; we ensure fair pricing and no hidden fees!

Ready to get started? Give us a call for current pricing rates or pop in for a visit!