Recycle aluminum cans and other metals
Why This is Green
When it comes to solid waste, recycling the metals we use—from cans to foil—makes the earth shine. Not only does it save space in increasingly crowded landfills, it conserves natural resources. One ton of recycled steel, for example, saves 1.49 tons of iron ore while a ton of recycled aluminum leaves four tons of bauxite ore in the ground. Even if you’re not up on your ores, that’s good common sense!
Recycled metal also saves some serious energy: It takes 95 percent less juice to make an aluminum can from recycled aluminum than it does to make the same can from virgin ore. Recycled steel uses up to 74 percent less energy and saves enough power each year to run 20 percent of America’s households. All this energy conservation translates directly into less pollution. That ton of recycled aluminum is reducing pollution by 95 percent while a ton of steel prevents the pollution equivalent of 3.6 barrels of oil!
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How To
Aluminum and metal cans are commonly collected by local curbside recycling programs.
Larger scrap metals and appliances can usually be recycled at local solid waste facilities, along with electronics and other products that contain metal components. To find your nearest recycling center, don’t waste another minute and visit Earth911.
