The diagram outlines the stages involved in the recycling process of aluminium cans.
Overall, the process unfolds in two major phases: collection and preparation of used cans, followed by remanufacturing them. The process requires relatively specialised equipment with little human intervention prior to distributing to retailers.
The process commences when people throw away used cans. Having been collected by the trash truck, discarded cans go through preparation stages during which they are properly cleaned, sorted, shredded and compressed.
The process continues with raw products being heated and melted under high temperature. Once melted down, molten aluminium is rolled into sheets that are between 2.5mm and 6mm thick. Next is the production stage, wherein rolled aluminium sheets are remanufactured in order to shape cans. The process concludes with ready products being distributed to consumers for reuse. It can also be seen that 74% of recycled cans are utilized in the UK.
