Although recycling aluminum is simple and inexpensive, the Aluminum Association estimates that more than 100 million aluminum beverage cans are deposited in landfills, littered or incinerated every day in the US, negatively impacting the environment and natural resources. Aluminum can recycling, however, not only saves money but significantly reduces energy consumption.

The aluminum recycling process entails collecting aluminum and sorting at a material recovery facility where scrap aluminum is separated from foreign substances to generate high quality scrap. With the use of aluminum recycling equipment the aluminum is bundled into bales, sold to brokers and can sheet manufacturers and refined using aluminum recycling machines that melt it into ingots. The ingots are melted and reproduced into can sheet and made into cans that are sold back to the beverage industry. It takes approximately six weeks to manufacture, fill, sell, recycle and remanufacture new cans. Before you recycle aluminum, consider the following markets that utilize reused aluminum:

1. Beverage containers, although demand is decreasing due to increased use of plastics.

2. Diecasts for the automotive industry made from scrap aluminum, which are gaining in popularity with demand for lightweight, fuel-efficient cars.

3. Building and construction.

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Obtain aluminum recycling information to become better informed about aluminum can recycling

Being knowledgeable about the process is critical to ensuring aluminum is recycled properly. There is an abundance of resources online to aid businesses in their attempt to clean up the environment and reuse scrap aluminum to save energy as well as natural resources.

I recommend: Visit the Can Manufacturers Institute to learn about beverage can standards and promotions as well as view presentations featuring innovations and emerging markets. You may also check out the Container Recycling Institute, where users have access to tools, graphs, publications and statistical information regarding recycling aluminum.

Make sure you understand the importance of recycling aluminum and what you need to do

Understanding exactly what your business needs to do is crucial to a successful aluminum recycling process. Knowing where and how to collect aluminum can make or break recycling efficiency. It will also be beneficial for you to understand the importance of collecting 'clean' scrap aluminum, as it makes the process easier for those having to sort through recyclables and remove liquids and materials.

I recommend: Take a look at the ultimate aluminum recycling guide provided by MSN, which demonstrates the economic and environmental impact of recycling scrap aluminum. The Midwest Regional Council's RecycleSpot is provides information about setting up a recycling program at your business and the steps that need to be taken in order to be successful.

Learn about aluminum recycling services and find aluminum recyclers near your business

Educate yourself about aluminum recycling rates and aluminum recycling prices before recycling at your business. You will also want to find an aluminum recycling center in your area and learn what you will pay for these services or what fee you will receive in return for recycling.

I recommend: Go to Earth911.com to find an aluminum recycler in your area. You may also want to take a look at the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources site, as it provides a national overview of markets for recovered aluminum cans and scrap. The information provides a good example of what you and your business should expect when setting out on an aluminum recycling endeavor. StopWaste.org, a service of CA's Alameda County, offers a variety of helpful resources for business and industrial recycling.

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• •  If you are not ready to start recycling aluminum at your business, there are many organizations that recycle aluminum to raise funds for local charitable programs. Contact charities in your area to learn how you can help them out by recycling.

Vital to the environment, aluminum recycling is generally easy to accomplish and you can even be compensated for the effort. Aluminum products can be reused and remade into a number of other products. An aluminum can, on average, can be collected, melted down and manufactured into a brand new can in 90 days. Aluminum is also a fully sustainable metal which means it can be recycled an unlimited number of times.

Don't look to get rich off recycling aluminum. While some aluminum recyclers will pay you for it, the going rate is not much. You may find, however, that it is worthwhile to get compensated for being a good environmental steward.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the national recycling rate is just 30% in the United States. Increasing recycling to 60% could save 315 million barrels of oil per year. Consider this other aluminum recycling information:

1. Aluminum can recycling saves enough energy to run a television for three hours.

2. The aluminum recycling process—making aluminum cans from recycled aluminum instead of its raw material—uses 95% less energy.

3. Top markets for scrap aluminum include the transportation industry, packaging of beverages and building construction materials.

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Purchase aluminum recycling equipment to get the job done efficiently

For workplace use, consider purchasing some of the inexpensive aluminum recycling equipment to make the job easier. You may prefer that aluminum cans be crushed to save space.

I recommend: Recy-CAL Supply offers a variety of recycling containers to help with the task of collecting aluminum cans for recycling. Aluminum-Can-Crusher.Com offers a simple contraption to crush your aluminum cans, compressing them down to about 20% of their original size. Applied Recovery Systems provides a selection of briquetting machines that consolidate even the smallest flakes and chips of aluminum scrap for recycling.

Get paid for recycling aluminum

A number of companies will pay you for your recyclable materials, including aluminum cans. Check out how and when they want aluminum delivered, or whether pickup services are available.

I recommend: US Alloy Inc. and Access Ltd. both buy aluminum for recycling purposes. Browse through the other metal products that may be marketable and thus beneficial to collect if readily available at your business.

Stay on top of aluminum recycling prices

Just as with other markets, the going rate for recyclables fluctuates due to supply and demand and the market for reusable materials. Keep informed of the aluminum recycling rate so you can determine a potential refund. This is particularly valuable information if your business is a source of large amounts of aluminum scrap such as old aluminum siding removed by contractors.

I recommend: Automated Recycling offers a current updated price for aluminium cans and also explains the factors that can make the price fluctuate. For large handlers, Commercial Alloys gives rates per metric ton.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Your aluminum recycling center may require you to remove any labels, nails or other non-aluminum materials before recycling. For office recycling of beverage containers, make it a practice to rinse cans before placing them in recycling bins to avoid attracting insects.

Getting into the business of recycling aluminum may be a wise business decision. Aluminum recycling prices constantly change with the market, but there will always be a demand for aluminum because it is used to make many consumer products. The most common products made from aluminum are cars, siding for buildings, and other materials for building projects.

Being an aluminum recycler requires you to have some knowledge of the aluminum market. You'll also need to train to use recycling equipment, and know about the products you are recycling. Depending on your role as part of aluminum recycling services, you can find many opportunities for information and education. There are plenty of resources for aluminum recycling education and training that can teach you to:

1. Track the fluctuating prices of aluminum.

2. Operate and maintain aluminum recycling machines.

3. Choose which type of scrap aluminum to specialize in.

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Learn about aluminum recycling rates

A successful aluminum recycling business will be able to keep up with the market. Aluminum is like any other commodity, and prices will change depending on demand for the materials. When there is a high demand for aluminum and scrap, contractors and businesses will pay top dollar for your aluminum.

I recommend: The Expert Network provides a study group for metal recycling experts. It covers topics in materials, equipment and markets. The group is designed for directors, contractors and traders in the recycling business. GlobalScrap offers conversion tables that can help you understand what various amounts of material will cost on any given day.

Attend events hosted by other aluminum recyclers and metal associations

To get information about the latest aluminum prices, recycling technology and market trends, attend a seminar, conference or other educational event. Many of the more popular events are hosted by aluminum organizations that have a stake in protecting the future of the industry.

I recommend: The Aluminum Association provides many educational opportunities and other events throughout the year for those in the aluminum production and recycling industry. Environmentalists Everyday sponsors meetings and events to discuss aluminum scrap recycling and the machines that make it possible.

Take classes to learn about processing metals with aluminum recycling equipment

A major part of working in the aluminum recycling industry is finding the best equipment for the job and training employees how to use that equipment. For this, you can find training materials through manufacturers, independent study courses and in-house training. These training opportunities provide you the knowledge necessary to run a small or large recycling operation.

I recommend: CP Manufacturing offers videos for all its aluminum recycling equipment products that you can integrate into a training program. YouTube provides an informational video that outlines the process of turning recycled aluminum into a new aluminum product.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can also find resources online that discuss how to set up aluminum can recycling and other small projects in schools and businesses.

Aluminum is earth's most abundant metallic element, making up about seven percent of the earth's surface. It is a sustainable metal, meaning it can be recycled infinitely. Used aluminum beverage cans are the most recycled item in the U.S., but you can recycle gutters, siding, storm window frames, and other aluminum products as well. Aluminum recycling in the U.S. has been common practice since the early 1900's and has become of great benefit to the community, the economy, and the environment. Many projects have been developed to raise consumer awareness of the benefits of aluminum recycling. Before getting involved with these programs or starting your own recycling program, you should become familiar with the language of industry. You can begin with these basic terms:

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Ferrous and non-ferrous

Ferrous metals originate from or contain iron. Steel (including alloys such as stainless steel) is the most common of the ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron and use less energy when they are recycled. Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal.

I recommend: Read more about ferrous metals and recycling at Bureau of International Recycling. Integrated Recycling Technologies offers information about the benefits of non-ferrous recycling.

Base metals

A base metal is any metal that will corrode or rust when heated in air. Aluminum is included in the base metals.

I recommend: Refer to Kitco Casey's research to learn more about base metals.

Aluminum Killed Steel

Steel deoxidized with aluminum is referred to as Aluminum Killed Steel. Adding aluminum to the steel while it is being processed reduces the oxygen content. This prevents a negative reaction from occurring between the carbon and the oxygen during solidification.

I recommend: Learn more about Aluminum Killed Steel at AZoM.com.

Aluminum dross and saltcake

Aluminum dross are the impurities or wastes recovered from aluminum melting operations. Saltcake is a hazardous waste consisting of salt and aluminum dross. It is a byproduct of melting aluminum wastes.

I recommend: Ohio Landfills define aluminum dross and saltcake and tell why they are a concern.

UBC scraps

UBC scraps are used beverage cans. UBC scraps can be placed in four categories -- shredded, densified, baled, and briquetted. Loose or uncrushed cans are also considered UBC scraps.

I recommend: The California Integrated Waste Management Board speaks about the different categories of UBC scraps.

Aluminum nodules

Aluminum nodules are remnants of aluminum wire recovered from chopping or shredding aluminum.

I recommend: Check out PeriodicTable.com for information of naturally occurring aluminum nodules.