Aluminum's Recycling Legacy Before Plastic Took Over

Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today. Aluminium recycling involves remelting the metal, which is cheaper and more energy-efficient than producing new aluminium from raw materials. In 2022, the United States produced 3.86 metric tons of secondary aluminium for every metric ton of primary aluminium produced. Aluminium cans are recycled at far higher rates than glass or plastic, with an overall recycling rate of nearly 50%. It's estimated that around 65% of the 80 billion aluminium beverage cans used every year are recycled.

Aluminum cans are recycled at higher rates than glass or plastic

Aluminium cans are recycled at much higher rates than glass or plastic. In the United States, a staggering 105,784 aluminium cans are recycled each minute, leading to an overall recycling rate of nearly 50%, the highest recycling rate for any beverage container. The latest data from the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) found that 43% of aluminium cans shipped in the United States in 2023 were ultimately recycled, far below an average rate of around 52% since tracking began in 1990. While this still comfortably exceeds the equivalent recycling rate for glass (39.6%) and plastic (PET) bottles (20.0%), recycling rates for aluminium cans are at their lowest point in decades.

Aluminium is one of the most recyclable materials, and it can be recycled time and time again. Unlike most recycling, a used aluminium can is typically recycled directly into a new can, and this process can be repeated over and over again. The average aluminium can contains more than 50% post-consumer recycled aluminium. While so many plastic water bottles are thrown away every day, when it comes to aluminium cans, the percentages are much better. It’s estimated that we use over 80 billion aluminium beverage cans every year and that around 65% of these cans are recycled.

Due to the infinite recyclability of aluminium, 75% of all aluminium produced is still in circulation. The average recycled content of an aluminium can made in the United States stands at 71%, down slightly from 73% reported in 2019 but far exceeding glass bottles (23%) and plastic bottles (3-10%). The aluminium can remains by far the most valuable beverage package in the recycling bin, with a value of $1,338/ton compared to $215/ton for PET and a negative value of $23/ton for glass, based on a two-year rolling average through February 2024.

Aluminum can be recycled into new cans over and over again

Aluminium is one of the most recyclable materials, and it can be recycled time and time again. Unlike most recycling, a used aluminium can is typically recycled directly into a new can, and this process can be repeated over and over again. The average aluminium can contains more than 50% post-consumer recycled aluminium. While so many plastic water bottles are thrown away every day, when it comes to aluminium cans, the percentages are much better. It’s estimated that we use over 80 billion aluminium beverage cans every year and that around 65% of these cans are recycled. In the United States, a staggering 105,784 aluminium cans are recycled each minute, leading to an overall recycling rate of nearly 50%, the highest recycling rate for any beverage container.

Aluminium cans are recycled at far higher rates than glass or plastic, but these rates have fallen below 50% in recent years. That means more than $800 million worth of aluminium ends up in a landfill, which is a tremendous loss to the economy and the environment. The latest data from the Aluminium Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) found that the recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the United States has ticked down in recent years, amidst ageing recycling infrastructure and a passive approach to recycling policy. The latest data, based on a survey of aluminium can recyclers and canmakers, government and other data sources, found that 43% of aluminium cans shipped in the United States in 2023 were ultimately recycled – far below an average rate of around 52% since tracking began in 1990.

While primary aluminium production remains a vital part of the American aluminium supply chain, more than 80% of US production today is in making recycled (or secondary) aluminium. The average recycled content of an aluminium can made in the United States stands at 71%, down slightly from 73% reported in 2019 but far exceeding glass bottles (23%) and plastic bottles (3-10%). The aluminium can remains by far the most valuable beverage package in the recycling bin, with a value of $1,338/ton compared to $215/ton for PET and a negative value of $23/ton for glass, based on a two-year rolling average through February 2024. Due to the infinite recyclability of aluminium, 75% of all aluminium produced is still in circulation.

Aluminum is one of the most recyclable materials

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and this makes it a great material for a more circular and sustainable economy. Recycling aluminum only takes around 5% of the energy needed to make new aluminum, reducing carbon emissions and saving money for businesses and consumers.

Aluminum cans are recycled at far higher rates than glass or plastic. In the United States, a staggering 105,784 aluminum cans are recycled each minute, leading to an overall recycling rate of nearly 50%, the highest recycling rate for any beverage container. The latest data from the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) found that the recycling rate for the aluminum beverage can in the United States has ticked down in recent years, but it still comfortably exceeds the equivalent recycling rate for glass (39.6%) and plastic (PET) bottles (20.0%).

The average recycled content of an aluminum can made in the United States stands at 71%, down slightly from 73% reported in 2019 but far exceeding glass bottles (23%) and plastic bottles (3-10%). The average aluminum can contains more than 50% post-consumer recycled aluminum. It’s estimated that we use over 80 billion aluminum beverage cans every year and that around 65% of these cans are recycled.

The recycling of aluminum is a closed-loop process that consists of four phases: collection, melting, casting, and production. Products, ranging from beverage cans to aircraft components, are collected and transported to a recycling facility.

Aluminum cans are the most valuable beverage package in the recycling bin

Aluminium is one of the most recyclable materials. It can be recycled time and time again, and unlike most recycling, a used aluminium can is typically recycled directly into a new can. This process can be repeated over and over again. The average aluminium can contains more than 50% post-consumer recycled aluminium. In the United States, a staggering 105,784 aluminium cans are recycled each minute, leading to an overall recycling rate of nearly 50%, the highest recycling rate for any beverage container. The latest data from the Aluminium Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) found that the recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the United States has ticked down in recent years, falling below 50%. However, this still comfortably exceeds the equivalent recycling rate for glass (39.6%) and plastic (PET) bottles (20.0%). The average recycled content of an aluminium can made in the United States stands at 71%, far exceeding glass bottles (23%) and plastic bottles (3-10%). The aluminium can remains by far the most valuable beverage package in the recycling bin, with a value of $1,338/ton compared to $215/ton for PET and a negative value of $23/ton for glass.

Aluminum recycling rates have declined in recent years

Aluminium is one of the most recyclable materials, and it can be recycled time and time again. The average aluminium can contains more than 50% post-consumer recycled aluminium. While so many plastic water bottles are thrown away every day, when it comes to aluminium cans, the percentages are much better. It’s estimated that we use over 80 billion aluminium beverage cans every year and that around 65% of these cans are recycled. In the United States, a staggering 105,784 aluminium cans are recycled each minute — leading to an overall recycling rate of nearly 50 per cent, the highest recycling rate for any beverage container.

However, aluminium recycling rates have declined in recent years. The latest data from the Aluminium Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) found that the recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the United States has ticked down in recent years amidst ageing recycling infrastructure and a passive approach to recycling policy. The latest data, based on a survey of aluminium can recyclers and canmakers, government and other data sources, found that 43% of aluminium cans shipped in the United States in 2023 were ultimately recycled – far below an average rate of around 52% since tracking began in 1990. While this still comfortably exceeds the equivalent recycling rate for glass (39.6%) and plastic (PET) bottles (20.0%), recycling rates for aluminium cans are at their lowest point in decades. The average recycled content of an aluminium can made in the United States stands at 71%, down slightly from 73% reported in 2019 but far exceeding glass bottles (23%) and plastic bottles (3-10%).

The Aluminium Association and CMI are working with several organisations, including canmakers, beverage brands, environmental organisations and policy think tanks on new approaches to drive increased recycling in the United States, as detailed in the aluminium beverage can recycling rate targets progress report that was also released today.

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