How Are Aluminium Cans Recycled? | How Do They Do It?

Summary

Novelis, the world's largest recycler of used beverage cans, transforms bales of aluminum cans into ingots at their factory in England. The recycling process involves shredding, sorting, and melting the cans, which not only saves energy but also highlights the versatility of aluminum. The ingots are then shipped to Germany for rolling into thin sheets, ultimately returning to the UK to be reconverted into cans. The script also humorously addresses the aluminum vs. aluminum debate and hints at the metal's potential use in aerospace, emphasizing the circular economy of aluminum.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Novelis is recognized as the world's largest recycler of used beverage cans, emphasizing the global scale of their operations.
• 🔄 The cans are compressed into bales, each weighing up to 1,000 kilograms and containing approximately 65,000 cans, showcasing the volume of recycling.
• ♻️ The energy saved from recycling aluminum is equivalent to powering the entire country of India, highlighting the environmental impact.
• 🚀 The process of recycling aluminum involves high-tech machinery, including a 340 horsepower shredder and an optical sorter using infrared sensors.
• 🧲 A powerful magnet is used to separate aluminum from other metals, as aluminum is not magnetic and requires different sorting methods.
• 🔠 The debate over the correct pronunciation and spelling of 'aluminum' versus 'aluminium' is humorously addressed, with a historical perspective.
• 🔥 Aluminum has a high melting point of 660 degrees Celsius, which is a critical factor in the recycling process.
• 🏗️ The ingots, each weighing 27 tons and made from 1.5 million recycled cans, are cast into large blocks before being transported for further processing.
• 🚚 The ingots travel a significant distance to a rolling mill in Germany, indicating the international nature of the aluminum industry.
• 🚀 The aluminum alloys used in beverage cans are similar to those used in rocket manufacturing, suggesting the versatility of aluminum in various industries.
• 🍺 The history of aluminum cans is briefly touched upon, noting that the first beverage in an aluminum can was beer in the US in 1959, and even then, recycling was encouraged.

Q & A

What is Novelis known for in the context of recycling?

Novelis is known for being the world's largest recycler of used beverage cans.

Where is the Novelis factory mentioned in the script located?

The Novelis factory is located in Warrington, England.

What is the weight and content of each compressed bale of cans at Novelis?

Each compressed bale weighs up to 1,000 kilograms and contains as many as 65,000 aluminum cans.

How much energy is saved annually through recycling aluminum, as mentioned in the script?

The energy saved through recycling aluminum is enough to run the whole of India.

What method is used to sort aluminum from other materials in the recycling process?

An optical sorter with infrared sensors at a rate of three meters per second is used to sort aluminum from other materials.

Why is aluminum tricky to sort using traditional methods?

Aluminum is tricky to sort because it cannot be separated out with a magnet, unlike some other metals.

What is the difference between the British and American pronunciation of the word 'aluminum'?

The British pronounce it as 'aluminium', while Americans pronounce it as 'aluminum'.

Who discovered aluminum and what were the different names he considered for it?

Sir Humphrey Davey discovered aluminum in 1807 and considered the names 'alumium', 'aluminum', and 'aluminium' for it.

What is the melting point of aluminum and how does it affect the recycling process?

The melting point of aluminum is 660 degrees Celsius, which is significant in the recycling process as it requires high temperatures to melt.

What is the term for the unwanted oxide that forms on the surface of molten aluminum?

The unwanted oxide that forms on the surface of molten aluminum is known as dross.

How are the aluminum ingots transported from the furnace to the casting area?

The aluminum ingots are transported to the casting area by tipping the entire furnace, allowing the molten metal to flow into molds.

What is the final product of the aluminum recycling process at Novelis and how is it used?

The final product is aluminum ingots, which are then transformed back into cans or used in other applications such as aerospace.