Think Globally
Earth 911's Act Locally section is your place to go for up to date information on what's happening in your area. Local programs, events and news fill our Act Locally section with actionable information that you can use in your own backyard.
Signup for green tips
Thank You
You will soon receive a welcome email from greentips@earth911.com.
Facts About Aluminum Recycling
- Discovered in the 1820s, aluminum is the most abundant metal on earth.
- Over 50 percent of the aluminum cans produced are recycled.
- A used aluminum can is recycled and back on the grocery shelf as a new can, in as little as 60 days.
- 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.
- Tossing away an aluminum can wastes as much energy as pouring out half of that can’s volume of gasoline.
- In 1972, it took about 22 empty, aluminum cans to weigh one pound. Due to advanced technology to use less material and increase durability of aluminum cans, in 2002 it takes about 34 empty aluminum cans to weigh one pound.
- The average employee consumes 2.5 beverages a day while at work.
- The empty aluminum can is worth about one cent.
