The Aluminum Association Supports America Recycles Day and Offers Challenge

Recycle Every Aluminum Can You See and Use Tomorrow and Everyday

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Aluminum Association supports America Recycles Day, tomorrow, November 15th and reminds everyone to recycle all the aluminum they use in their everyday lives.

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable meaning it can be eternally recycled with no loss in quality.  Aluminum's recyclability and durability mean that 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.  

Recycled aluminum requires only 5% of the energy and saves 95% of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary aluminum production.  Used aluminum cans have real value. Every year, the aluminum industry pays over $1.5 billion to consumers and facilities recycling used cans and the recycling industry supports thousands of jobs.

"People are starting to get the message about recycling," said Heidi Brock, President of the Aluminum Association.  "Aluminum cans account for less than 1% of the U.S. waste stream but we still need to do more."

The aluminum can is the most recycled beverage container in America with 58.1% of aluminum cans recycled in 2010. The industry can boost the best bin-to-shelf time of any beverage containers, 60 days and the highest recycled content of any beverage container, 68%.

The Aluminum Association and industry are committed to a 75% aluminum can recycling rate and continues to work with partners to achieve this goal. "When we started, we knew 75% would not be easy," says Brock. "It was never meant to be easy; it was meant to be a challenge and a goal that everyone would be working on together."

This year, the Aluminum Association challenges everyone to recycle all the aluminum cans they come in contact with tomorrow and always.  Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours or a 100-watt light bulb for 4 hours.

"The great thing for me is to see someone cross the street to use a recycle bin instead of tossing the can in the trash container next to them. Or when I see a recycling bin that's larger than the trash bin," said Brock.  "That's how we know we are getting the message out and people are listening.  We are all in this together."

To learn more about aluminum can recycling visit www.aluminum.org/can and for recycling locations near you, visit www.Earth911.org.   Happy America Recycles Day!

The Aluminum Association, based in Arlington, Virginia, works globally to aggressively promote aluminum as the most sustainable and recyclable automotive, packaging and construction material in today's market. The Association represents U.S. and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, aluminum recyclers and producers of fabricated products, as well as industry suppliers. Member companies operate more than 200 plants in the United States, with many conducting business worldwide.    

James Lewis
703.358.2966
[email protected]

SOURCE The Aluminum Association