The provided diagram illustrates the various stages involved in the recycling process of aluminium cans, starting from the collection of used items to their eventual reuse as new products.
Overall, the process is a cyclical operation that transforms used aluminium cans into new products, with the UK achieving a 74% recycling rate for these materials. The entire procedure consists of seven distinct stages, beginning with the disposal of used cans by consumers.
Initially, used cans are placed into collection bins, from where they are transported by a collection truck. Once collected, the cans undergo a series of mechanical treatments, specifically cleaning, sorting, shredding, and compressing. Following this, the processed aluminium is subjected to heating and melting. The molten metal is then rolled into sheets that measure between 2.5mm and 6mm in thickness.
In the final stages, these sheets are recycled into new cans. These new products are then distributed for reuse, a phase where the UK reports that 74% of the cans are successfully recycled. This closed-loop system ensures that aluminium is efficiently repurposed, thereby reducing the need for raw material extraction.