The diagram illustrates how aluminum cans are recycled during a six-week period.
Overall, the recycling process consists of several main stages, beginning with the collection of used aluminum cans and culminating in the production of new cans. The entire process is cyclical, as the newly produced cans can subsequently be used and recycled again.
Initially, used aluminum cans are collected from various sources and transported to a recycling facility. Once this has been completed, the cans are sorted, during which unsuitable materials are removed from the collected waste. Subsequently, the selected cans are compressed into compact blocks, resulting in material that is easier to process. If the cans are properly prepared, they can then proceed to the following stage, after which they are shredded into small pieces.
In the final stages, the shredded aluminum is melted in a furnace and then formed into large sheets, ultimately producing material that can be used to manufacture new cans. These sheets are subsequently shaped into new aluminum cans, which are distributed for use. Once the cans have been used, they are collected again and re-enter the recycling process, thereby completing the cycle.