Continue reading to learn some fun facts about metal recycling, and how it renders patriotic advantages for this country.
Recycle Metal Like an American
Standard recyclables in the everyday household include aluminum cans, baking foil, cardboard, and plastic. We are going to focus on the two most common household recyclables; aluminum cans and baking foil. When you think about natural resources, you probably picture flowing rivers of water, wind, sunlight, and other natural phenomenons us humans cannot live without. But have you ever considered aluminum cans as a natural resource? Probably not; but the truth is, Americans use and toss out nearly 3 million tons of aluminum every year!
But the natural resource-part comes in when you learn that nearly 50% of that is recycled and reused! This has a huge impact on our environment, and allows us to cut back on mining and natural resource consumption. At another angle, the environmental savings on metal is substantial. This is where patriotism comes in play. What is more American than supporting and contributing positively to the country’s financial situation?
When an aluminum can is recycled, it can be recycled, reprocessed, and put back on the shelf in less than 60 days! Aluminum cans are 100% recyclable, and we only recycle about 50% of them. If we could increase that data, then we could save endlessly on the energy required to manufacture new cans. One recycled can of aluminum saves enough energy to operate a television set for three hours! And there are several companies and recycling centers that pay cash for aluminum cans and products. There is really no excuse to not recycle your aluminum!As far as aluminum foil goes, it has a history worth learning about. During World War II, Americans worked fervently to save all aluminum foil, even pieces as small as wrapping from a stick of gum, in support of the troops and the war efforts. In 2010 alone, nearly 500 million tons of aluminum foil was thrown away. This is sad because foil is 100% recyclable and can be melted down, cleaned, and reprocessed back into foil, infinitely! This is substantially less costly and requires much less energy in mining productions to make new aluminum.
Although there is no war right now, foil recycling helps save energy and reduces negative effects on the environment. As an American citizen, it is only noble and patriotic to uphold the tradition of recycling foil in order to support American efforts. And those efforts today are focused on energy conservation, protecting the environment, and our preserving natural resources.