Revolutionizing Aluminum Recycling with EGA and Every
Aluminum is a versatile and lightweight metal that plays a crucial role in shaping our everyday life. For years, this wonder material has been used for many purposes, making it indispensable. Today, we see aluminum being used across diverse industries including packaging, construction, and transportation to its role in manufacturing electronics and kitchenware. Aluminum, with its low density and high strength-to-weight ratio, contributes to fuel efficiency in vehicles, while its recyclability aligns with modern sustainability practices.
In this blog, we will learn more about Aluminium recycling and “Every Can Counts”, a notable sustainable initiative that is playing a key role in encouraging aluminum recycling worldwide.
Aluminum: A Green Champion
Aluminum is undoubtedly a superstar when it comes to recycling. Studies show us that recycling aluminum is significantly more energy efficient than extracting it from raw materials. The production of aluminum from recycled scrap requires only about 5% of the energy compared to the extraction of aluminum from its bauxite ore. This energy savings not only reduces the environmental impact but also helps conserve natural resources.
Despite its high recycling rate, only about 70% of all aluminum ever produced is currently recycled today. The remaining 30% ends up in landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. In short, increasing recycling rates is crucial to further reduce the environmental impact of aluminum production and conserve resources.
Aluminum recycling has been a well-established and economically viable practice since the early 1900s. 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, thanks to recycling. This metal can be recycled repeatedly without losing its quality or performance. Scrap aluminum is collected from various sources like used beverage cans, car parts, and building materials. It’s sorted, shredded, and melted at high temperatures, after which, the Impurities are removed. The molten metal is then shaped into new products.
Recycled aluminum is used in various industries, including automotive, construction, packaging, and electronics. Encouraging and promoting aluminum recycling is therefore a vital aspect of sustainable waste management and a key strategy for reducing the overall environmental impact of metal production.
Plastic recycling vs. aluminum recycling: How Different is it?
It’s interesting to note the difference between plastic recycling and Aluminum recycling, especially considering the carbon footprint of both processes.
Studies tell us that, although highly recommended, plastic recycling demands substantial energy for sorting, cleaning, and melting. This could potentially result in notable CO2 emissions, particularly if fossil fuels power these processes. Transportation of plastic waste and recycled products also contributes to emissions. Additionally, the degradation of plastic during recycling may necessitate more energy input to offset quality loss, further impacting its carbon footprint.
In contrast, aluminum recycling requires significantly less energy than primary aluminum production, with potential energy savings of up to 95%. This translates to considerably fewer CO2 emissions. While transportation plays a role, it’s typically less significant due to aluminum’s higher value-to-weight ratio. Moreover, aluminum’s infinite recyclability means that initial emissions are spread over multiple recycling cycles, ultimately reducing its overall carbon footprint compared to plastic.
Aluminum recycling initiatives in the UAE
Today, many sustainable initiatives are happening worldwide, promoting recycling, specifically for plastic and aluminum. One of the widely renowned aluminum recycling initiatives is the “Every Can Counts” program, a global partnership between drink can manufacturers and European aluminum can sheet
producers, working to inspire, encourage, and empower people to recycle their drink cans wherever they are, with a focus on out-of-home consumption. Let’s learn more about this program and UAE’s partnership in the same.
During COP28, industry leaders aimed for a near 100 percent recycling target for the world’s aluminum drink cans by 2050. During the event, Every Can Counts announced that the UAE has become the second non-European nation to fortify the not-for-profit’s global community, following Brazil’s lead in 2021. Subsequently, Every Can Counts UAE was launched at COP28 in Dubai, where the initial program consisted of a series of environmental education and activities featuring ECC Pixel Can, and ECC recycling ambassadors including Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA). The program focused on raising awareness about the importance of drinks can recycling in tackling climate change.
EGA is a leading beverage producer, can-maker, and waste management company, and the largest industrial company in the UAE outside of oil and gas. The company launched the Aluminium Recycling Coalition back in January 2023, to increase aluminum recycling within the country.
The coalition includes EGA, Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company (Tadweer), Aujan Coca-Cola Beverages Company, Coca-Cola Al Ahlia Beverages Company, BEE’AH Tandeef, Pepsi-bottler Dubai Refreshment, CANPACK, Crown Bevcan EMEA, DULSCO Group and Veolia. It was launched at EGA in Al Taweelah, in the presence of His Excellency Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, and Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
EGA also partnered with RECAPP by Veolia to raise recycling awareness in schools and communities. The application offers digital solutions and door-to-door recycling collection services to consumers.
EGA also plans to build the first and largest aluminum recycling facility in the country, where post-consumer metal scraps and pre-consumer scraps from extrusion production can be processed into low-carbon, high-quality billets.
Through the Every Can Counts initiatives and other sustainability programs, EGA will continue spearheading the rollout of this program in the UAE.
Final words
In conclusion, the journey of aluminum from its extraction to its numerous applications in our lives underscores the pivotal role recycling plays in mitigating environmental impact and promoting sustainability. Initiatives such as the ECC Pixel Can and the dedication of recycling ambassadors such as EGA serve as powerful reminders of the importance of aluminum recycling in the broader context of addressing climate change.
By embracing aluminum recycling, we not only contribute to energy savings and resource conservation but also actively participate in building a more environmentally conscious and responsible future. As we continue to appreciate the significance of recycling, let us strive to make aluminum recycling a collective effort, fostering a greener and more sustainable world for generations to come.
For more information on UAE’s sustainable initiatives, visit our website.
Sources:
https://international-aluminium.org/
https://european-aluminium.eu/
