The diagram illustrates a six-week process by which aluminium drinks cans are recycled.
Overall, the linear process comprises 11 stages, beginning with the collection of used cans and culminating in the production of new cans. Specifically, used cans are collected, cleaned, crushed and processed before being heated and converted into new cans.
Initially, discarded cans are collected by a truck and deposited in a recycling plant, where they are washed to remove dirt and impurities. Thereafter, the cleaned cans are broken down into small pieces, after which they are processed. Subsequently, the cans are erased with chemicals to remove the layer of paint.
Following this, the cans are heated at high temperatures in a furnace until they are completely melted. During the eighth stage, the molten aluminium is moulded into different blocks, which are then weighed and rolled into thin sheets. Finally, new aluminium drinking cans are manufactured, ready for consumption.
