Facts about Recycling and Reusing Aluminum

All around the world, Aleris operations are focused on recycling and reusing aluminum products.  The goal is to recover the maximum amount of aluminum from scrap and by-products.

Benefits of Recycling

• Aluminum can be recycled using only five percent of the energy required to extract the metal from bauxite ore
• Recycling aluminum by-products can reduce the waste sent to landfills by 20 percent or more
• Recycling one ton of aluminum eliminates the need to mine five tons of bauxite ore
• Making new cans from recycled aluminum takes 95 percent less energy than using primary aluminum -- and reduces labor and capital costs by about 90 percent
• Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to keep a 100-watt bulb burning for almost four hours
• The energy lost by throwing away one aluminum can is the equivalent of pouring out half of that can’s volume of gasoline
• One of the greatest benefits of aluminum is its infinite ability to be recycled
• Almost three-fourths of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today
• Aluminum in automobiles, buildings, and electrical systems is recycled at rates near 90 percent
• Aluminum beverage cans are recycled at rates near 52 percent

What Does Aleris Recycle?

Aleris recycles a wide variety of aluminum materials. They include beverage cans, wheels, brake calipers, fittings, pistons, small engines, castings, siding, spools, borings and turnings. These become raw materials for some of the products we make.