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The Pros & Cons of Recycling Cans

First discovered in 1820, the metal known as aluminum is one of the most well known and commonly used metals in the United States. The most practical use for aluminum is the creation of aluminum cans for soda, beer and other beverages. Each day the average employee will consume at least two beverages in aluminum cans. Recycling these cans is a popular option, however there are drawbacks and benefits to their recycling.

  1. Background

    • Since the 1970's, the prevalence and efficiency of recycling aluminum cans has drastically increased. In 1998, over 879,000 metric tons of aluminum cans were recycled in the United States, a huge jump from the mere 24,000 metric tons of aluminum cans recycled in 1972. During this same time period the weight and dimensions of aluminum cans also changed dramatically. In 1972, one pound of recyclable aluminum was the equivalent of 22 empty cans. However, in 2002 approximately 34 empty cans are needed to generate one pound of recyclable aluminum. Many of these cans commonly have a cash value of around one cent. In fact, the aluminum industry pays out almost $800 million a year for recyclable cans.

    Benefits of Recycling

    • Aluminum cans are the most recycled consumer product in the world, and there are several reasons for this popularity. Initially, while many products such as plastic can only be recycled under certain conditions, aluminum cans are 100 percent recyclable and can go through the process numerous times. This process yielded the energy equivalent of 15 million barrels of crude oil in 2004, as recycling 40 aluminum cans is proportional to saving one barrel of oil. Additionally, recycling these aluminum cans is almost as efficient as producing a new can by saving 95 percent of the energy used to create a new can. Finally, recycling just one ton of aluminum cans saves 10 cubic yards of landfill space and decreases the amount of aluminum that will end up in a landfill by nearly 55 percent.

    Drawbacks of Recycling

    • While the reuse and recycling of aluminum does create several environmental benefits, there are drawbacks to the process. Initially, once aluminum cans are collected from their respective recycling sites they must be transported and sorted. The use of gasoline or diesel powered trucks to move the cans may contribute more pollutants to the environment that are saved by recycling. The machinery that is used to sort and recycle the aluminum cans are also commonly fueled by gasoline or diesel. Thus the process of recycling aluminum may not truly be beneficial for the environment. Additionally, the process used to clean and recycle aluminum products erodes the quality of the original aluminum making the material only suitable for specific projects.

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