The diagram outlines the various stages involved in the recycling of used aluminium cans.
Overall, the process is a closed-loop system consisting of eleven distinct steps, beginning with the collection of waste and ending with the creation of new beverage containers. The entire cycle, from disposal to the finished product, is completed within a six-week period.
Initially, discarded cans are collected by waste disposal trucks and transported to a deposit center. Once gathered, the cans undergo a cleaning process using water to remove impurities. This is followed by a mechanical stage where the cans are crushed and processed. Subsequently, the metal is treated with chemicals to remove any exterior paint or coatings.
In the final stages, the cleaned aluminium is subjected to heat in a furnace until it melts. This molten metal is then poured into a mould. After the aluminium is cast, it undergoes a weighing process before being rolled into thin sheets. Finally, these sheets are shaped into new cans, ready to be reused in the market.