Aluminium Can

Please recycle: making aluminium cans from recycled aluminium takes only 5% of the energy required to make cans from raw materials. So that's a whopping 95% energy saving. Recycling ONE aluminium can save enough energy to run a light bulb for FOUR hours! 

While cans are able to be recycled they have a less-than-auspicious source and the environmental cost of destructive mining and aluminium production cannot be undone by recycling or the fact that it is the most lightweight option to transport.

Aluminium is made from bauxite, mined from open-pit or dredging mines that have damaging environmental impacts threatening sensitive ecosystems. Aluminium processing is water- and energy-hungry and produces a variety of pollutants. 

Aluminium can be recycled endlessly without losing its integrity.

The World Counts website has a counter showing how many aluminium cans have been recycled so far this year. Scroll down to read how much energy is saved when this important resource is recycled - it's huge! 

See also aerosol can, tin can

Quaffing a beverage from a disposable container is an environmentally costly activity, so avoid it where possible. A reusable bottle filled with water, juice or iced tea from home is a healthy, environmental "win" every time. If you do have to grab a drink on the run, make sure you recycle the can, even if it means taking it home to your recycling bin.

Get creative and make a model aeroplane, flower, lantern, ornament. See some greatly creative uses for cans here.

Aluminium cans are accepted for recycling at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre. 

Where do recycled aluminium cans go? 

This item can be recycled.