Industry concerns for environment over aluminium can recycling

Alunet reported that aluminum has become the dominant drink's packaging material over the past 25 years. This relatively new metal is the most recyclable of all metals. The aluminum recycling rate as of 1997 was 66.5% in North America while the weight of the aluminum can has been reduced by 40% over the last 20 years and light weighting continues, benefiting both the consumer and the environment. The recycling rate increased by 3% in just 1 year alone, from the 1996 rate of 63.5%. This rise is attributed to several factors including consumers commitment to aluminum can recycling and consorted efforts by local governments not just in the US and Canada but around the world as well. Of the 100.5 billion cans produced, in N. America alone in 1997, an impressive 66.8 billion were recycled. Meanwhile strong efforts are underway in Europe to achieve similar numbers. For example, the United Kingdom has set up a system of recycling which begins in the school system. Thus creating a recycling culture to the new citizens of the country. The UK initiative has used to a great extent the example of the US and Canada were recyclers earned more than USD 1.03 billion in cash, which was funneled in many cases to charitable causes, by church or social organizations. Aluminum is one of the very few materials which can be recycled without cost to the tax payer or the industry. Its own value can move it through the system and this procedure is supported by market based incentives, unlike other materials which often cost too much to be recycled. During the last 25 years, the US aluminum industry has developed a recycling system that benefits the environment as well as the industry. These benefits include energy and natural resource conservation as well as landfill savings. The aluminum industry benefits because the recycling system serves as an above ground mine, a critical component of the industry's metal supply. That industry has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to develop a system of more than 10,000 recycling centers nationwide. Aluminum can recycle works without government intervention. A plan that Europe is moving fast to adopt. According to industry data used cans aluminum cans show up as new cans in stores in as few as 60 days. The average aluminum can contains more than 50% post consumer recycled content. The aluminum can is recycled in a closed loop process. No can need ever reach a landfill. Closed loop recycling saves 95% of the energy needed to produce aluminum from ore, not to mention valuable natural resources. Energy savings and capital expenditure avoidance give the can its intrinsic value to the industry. (Sourced from Alunet.net)