November 15 of each year is observed as America Recycles Day – a day dedicated to spreading the message of how recycling can help all of us contribute towards the environment in the littlest way possible by reducing waste, saving energy, and conserving precious resources. And now that individuals as well as industries are increasingly prioritising sustainability, recycling plays a crucial role. Essentially, the aluminium industry in America has notably made a conscious shift to recycling and using recycled, low-carbon aluminium.
According to the Aluminum Association, 75 per cent of aluminium is recycled in the United States of America. Some industries like automotive and building recycle more than 90 per cent. Today, more than 80 per cent of US production is in making recycled/secondary aluminium, where scrap collection plays a vital role.
As the above graph shows, in four decades, America’s annual scrap collection has increased by more than 100 per cent from 5 billion in the 1980s to 11.3 billion in the 2010s. So, indicatively, aluminium scrap itself has become a primary raw material for domestic aluminium production. In 2023, the United States recovered 3.31 million tonnes of aluminium scrap, whereas the production of primary aluminium throughout the whole year stood at 750,000 tonnes.
Until the first half of 2024, the United States produced 1.763 million tonnes of aluminium from scrap, up by 6.78 per cent from 1.651 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. In contrast, primary aluminium production was 339,000 tonnes, down by 10.32 per cent from 378,000 tonnes a year ago.
The graph and data above clearly indicate the United States' growing shift towards producing recycled aluminium from the primary metal over the period. Recycling aluminium over the years has reflected positive impacts in the United States beyond the environment. According to the Aluminum Association, just by recycling beverage cans, the United States could save over $800 million each year for the economy. Over 45 billion cans are recycled every year in the United States, says Robert Budway, president of the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). More than 90 per cent of the recycled cans are turned into aluminium sheets used to make new beverage cans. So, these cans and other scraps together create an average recycled content rate of more than 73 per cent.
To commemorate America Recycles Day on November 15, Every Can Counts US and Replenysh announced on November 15 the launch of a new community-driven recycling programme to increase aluminium beverage cans recovery. This programme is designed to demonstrate that aluminium beverage cans recycle is a pillar of the United States recycling system, developing a robust circular economy.
The United States' aluminium recycling industry has a long journey ahead, and it is wholeheartedly committed to developing a sustainable environment through recycling one of the most recyclable metals. Hence, collaborations, initiatives, investments, and expansions are in full swing. For instance, a little more than two months ago, the United States witnessed a much-awaited groundbreaking ceremony of a $40 million aluminium processing facility in Russellville by Kentucky Aluminium Processors. The facility, situated over 37 acres of land, will function as an aluminium recycling plant and is a joint venture between Tri-Arrows Aluminum (TAA) and Tennessee Aluminum Processors (TAP). It will process dross and scrap material from TAA's casting centre at Logan Aluminum, producing molten aluminium and sows. These products will be returned to TAA's recycling and casting facilities at Logan Aluminum or other customer locations.
So, congratulating America for its dedicated Recycles Day, we applaud its commitment to recycling and sustainability, with deep aspirations to meet the recycling goals set before us. Yes, we do.
