An equation for success, recycling aluminum with the smelting process.
Environmental benefits
Aluminum recycling is an efficient way to conserve natural resources and protect the environment, some specific data are:
- Bauxite: Primary aluminum production requires large amounts of bauxite, an aluminum ore. Aluminum recycling requires only a fraction of the bauxite needed for primary production, which means a significant reduction in the exploitation of natural resources.
- Energy: The production of primary aluminum requires a large amount of energy, as high temperatures are required to melt the aluminum ore. Aluminum recycling requires only a fraction of the energy needed for primary production, which means a significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases.
- Water: Primary aluminum production requires large amounts of water for the extraction and processing of bauxite. Aluminum recycling requires only a fraction of the amount of water needed for primary production, which means a significant reduction in water demand.
Aluminum recycling process
- Collection: Aluminum materials are collected and transported to smelters.
- Classification: Materials are classified by type and quality to determine their value.
- Cleaning: materials are cleaned to remove impurities and contaminants.
- Foundry: Clean aluminum is melted at high temperatures to create new castings.
- Cooling: the lumps are left to cool in order to demold the new aluminum casting.
- Processing: the new parts are demolished and sent to the metal transformation plant for polishing and machining, if necessary.
Commonly recycled aluminum parts
Anything that contains aluminum can be recycled, and more and more products are being made from recycled aluminum instead of primary materials. This contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The most common aluminum parts in recycling are:
- Soda and Beer Cans: These are one of the most common forms of recycled aluminum, as they are plentiful and easy to collect.
- Food Containers: Food containers such as tuna cans and sauces are also common in aluminum recycling.
- Automobiles: Aluminum components in automobiles, such as wheels and bodywork, are frequently recycled.
- Electronic products: Electronic products such as computers and mobile phones contain small amounts of aluminum, which can be recycled.
- Buildings and construction: aluminum construction products, such as shutters and doors, can also be recycled.
As a citizen, you can contribute to recycling
Any action you take to recycle aluminum is valuable and contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the protection of the environment. Some ideas are:
- Collect and separate: separate aluminum cans, food containers and other aluminum objects from your household waste and deposit them in a recycling container.
- Participate in recycling programs: Many cities and communities have recycling programs that collect aluminum materials for further processing. Participate in these programs to contribute to aluminum recycling.
- Reuse before you recycle: Before you recycle an aluminum object, consider whether you can reuse it. For example, you can save empty soda cans to use as planters or to store tools.
- Buy recycled aluminum products: When buying aluminum products, choose those that are made from recycled aluminum. This helps increase the demand for recycled material and contribute to the conservation of natural resources.
World aluminum figures
There is no exact figure available on the number of kilograms of aluminum that are processed in the world annually, since this figure varies depending on various factors such as the global economy, primary aluminum production, recycling efficiency, among others.
However, it is estimated that on average approximately 50 million tons of aluminum are recycled each year worldwide. This recycled aluminum is used in the manufacture of a wide range of products, from soda cans to aircraft components.
It is important to note that aluminum recycling is an ongoing process and more and more people and companies are taking steps to increase their involvement in this process. This contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
At FTR, at the Medellín plant, we have an aluminum casting process and green sand molding for the production of new parts for the industry in general.