The diagram illustrates the cyclical process through which used aluminium drinks cans are recycled and returned to use.
Overall, the process can be divided into three main stages: the collection and preparation of discarded cans, the conversion of used aluminium into reusable material, and the manufacture and redistribution of new cans. After use, the cans are returned to collection points, allowing the cycle to begin again.
The first stage involves collecting and preparing discarded cans for recycling. Used drinks cans are initially deposited in designated bins at a collection centre, where the aluminium items are separated from steel ones. The aluminium cans are then transported by truck to the recycling facility and compressed into compact blocks in preparation for further processing.
The second stage focuses on converting the collected aluminium into material from which new cans can be produced. At the recycling plant, the compressed aluminium is melted and subsequently cast into solid ingots. These are then rolled into thin aluminium sheets, providing the material for remanufacturing.
In the final stage, the aluminium sheets are shaped into new drinks cans and distributed for use. Once their contents have been consumed, the empty cans are returned to collection sites, thereby completing the cycle and beginning the recycling process again.