Aluminum is a highly abundant silvery metal. It is lightweight, relatively soft, and easily rolls and presses into a variety of shapes. In fact, aluminum is the twelfth commonest element in the universe. Perhaps you are wondering why recycling aluminum gutters and siding is even worth writing about?
Recycling Aluminum Gutters and Siding Recovers Energy
Producing aluminum is a highly-energy-intensive process, that begins with extracting the metal from the earth. Raw aluminum is available in certain types of sedimentary rock, which we have to mine to bring to the surface.
Large industrial plants then separate the raw aluminum from the sedimentary rock. This two-phase process begins with crushing and milling and filtering the raw material, and then refining the aluminum oxide into crystals.
But we are not done with burning energy to produce the aluminum that is so essential for our collective lifestyle. The second stage of aluminum production involves smelting the aluminum oxide crystals at 940–980 °C / 1700 to 1800°F, to achieve 99.5 -99.8% purity.
Recycling aluminum gutters and siding is therefore more than just recovering the metal. We are recycling the vast amounts of energy that produced it. This is where we can really make a difference, if we are willing to try.
How Aluminum Metal Recycling Works in Practice
Recycling used aluminum was not a big issue for Canadians until beverage cans appeared, and started polluting our environment. Since then, most of us have become aware of the need to hand over used aluminum items for recycling.
The process is, thankfully, far simpler and less-energy intensive than processing newly-mined material. This is because the silvery metal melts at 600°C / 1200°F, which is less than copper, iron, and brass.
Melting already-processed aluminum consumes just 5% of the energy that was required to refine it in the first place. The recovery rate is 85% using open smelters. However, this increases to 99% using an aluminum stack melter.
Our Commitment to Recycling Aluminum and Scrap Metal
Recycling the silvery metal is essential to the modern aluminum business, according to The Aluminum Association. This is because repurposing it lowers the average cost of the material, while reducing the overall energy burden, and carbon impact too.
Aluminum can be indefinitely processed and reused this way, again according to The Aluminum Association. They maintain that this is why 75% of all aluminum ever produced, is still in use today. That’s quite some achievement!
Valiant Exteriors, and every member of our team are equally committed to recycling every ounce of scrap and used aluminum from our business, at either the Calgary City Eco Centre, or one of the approved local metal recycling companies. Every little bit helps to repurpose the growing mountain of scrap, that we simply must recycle.
More Information
Metal Recycling Industry in Canada