|
 Statistics
on aluminum can recycling were just released and the results are
positive. Over 51 billion cans were recycled in 2004, which reflects
a 1.2 increase from the previous year. While industry professionals
from organizations such as the Aluminum Association, the Can
Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and the Institute of Scrap Recycling
Industries (ISRI) site “the high value of aluminum recycling” as a
major reason for the increase, another more probable explanation is
the success of some high profile promotional campaigns that include
big names such as Habitat for Humanity and the cartoon character
Jimmy Neutron.
By all accounts, aluminum is a very important commodity to
recycle. Once collected, aluminum can be recycled and back on the
grocery store shelves in as little as 60 days. Here are some other
interesting facts about aluminum:
- Discovered in the 1820s, aluminum is the most abundant metal
on earth.
- Over 50% of the aluminum cans produced are recycled.
- Aluminum is a durable and sustainable metal: 2/3 of the
aluminum ever produced is in use today.
- Every minute of everyday, an average of 113,204 aluminum cans
are recycled.
- Making new aluminum cans from used cans takes 95 percent less
energy and 20 recycled cans can be made with the energy needed to
produce one can using virgin ore.
- Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to keep a
100-watt bulb burning for almost four hours or run your television
for three hours.
- Last year 54 billion cans were recycled saving energy
equivalent to 15 million barrels of crude oil - America's entire
gas consumption for one day.
- Tossing away an aluminum can wastes as much energy as pouring
out half of that can's volume of gasoline.
- The average employee consumes 2.5 beverages a day while at
work.
- The empty aluminum can is worth about 1 cent.
High Profile Promotions
 Jimmy
Neutron, the Nickelodeon Network's popular show about a boy science
genius, has partnered with the Aluminum Association to promote
aluminum recycling to its fans. A complete
Jimmy website is devoted to sparking kid's (and parent's)
interest in aluminum can recycling. The website comprised of games,
a video, factoids and valuable information also includes a section
just for teachers.
Charities That Recycle Cans
 The
aluminum can is the most recycled drink container on the planet.
That's a lot of containers! But did you know that by recycling your
cans, you are not only saving energy to run things like your TV, but
you can also help charities and groups that do good things earn
money?
Recycling aluminum cans has been a
popular way for organizations to make money for more than 30 years.
The aluminum industry pays over $800 million a year for empty
aluminum cans... just think about how that money can help groups
like
Habitat for Humanity, the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts of America,
and even your local school! That money can help people in your town
build new houses, learn new skills or pay for field trips.
Is there an organization in your
community that could use your help? See the list below for an idea
of what groups are recycling.
Habitat for Humanity (Aluminum Cans Build Habitat for Humanity
Homes)
TOMA Foundation for Burned Children
Boy Scouts of America
America Humane (Paws to Recycle) |
