The diagram illustrates the comprehensive process involved in the recycling of aluminium cans.
Overall, the recycling procedure encompasses six key stages, prominently emphasizing the significance of collection and preparation, ultimately culminating in the production of new aluminium products.
Initially, the process commences with the collection of used aluminium cans, which are deposited into designated recycling bins. Subsequently, these cans are retrieved by specialized recycling vehicles and transported to a processing facility. At this stage, the cans undergo thorough cleaning to eliminate any residual contaminants, followed by a systematic sorting process based on material composition. This is succeeded by shredding, which transforms the cans into smaller fragments, and compressing these fragments into compact bales, facilitating easier handling and storage prior to melting.
In the subsequent phase, the compacted aluminium is subjected to heating and melting, resulting in the formation of molten aluminium. This molten metal is then systematically rolled into sheets of varying thickness, specifically ranging between 2.5 mm and 6 mm. Finally, these rolled sheets are processed to manufacture new aluminium cans, thus completing the recycling loop and ensuring that approximately 74% of aluminium is effectively reused in the UK.