The Power of Recycled Aluminum – From Scrap to Structure

World Recycling Day seems like the perfect opportunity to celebrate one of the most recycled and recyclable materials on the planet: aluminum!

Aluminum is 100% Recyclable

What do we mean when we say, “100% Recyclable”? Like all metals, aluminum is formed in a crystal structure of bonded atoms, making it extremely easy to melt and reform without changing its fundamental properties. Unlike synthetic substances like plastic, which break down when recycled and eventually degrade to the point where they are no longer usable, aluminum can be recycled repeatedly with virtually no limitation. Despite a small loss of volume during the melting and recycling process, the resulting aluminum material itself is not degraded and can be recycled and re-used again and again.

Recycling More Aluminum Than Ever

When you think about recycling aluminum, the first image that pops into your head is most likely a blue bin full of beverage cans. That is definitely one very important component of the process that allows us to keep using this “miracle metal” into infinity. What you may not think about are the many other businesses within the aluminum industry that both rely on, and participate in, this growing secondary production market.

According to the International Aluminium Institute, “Of the estimated 1.5 billion tonnes of aluminium produced since 1880, three quarters is still in productive use.”

Here are a few more aluminum recycling facts shared by the Aluminum Association:

• 85% of current U.S. aluminum production relies on recycled scrap as a major input.
• Recycling aluminum uses approximately 5% of the energy needed to make new (primary) metal.
• In many industrial markets like automotive and building, recycling rates for aluminum exceed 90%.

How Eagle Aluminum Recycles

At Eagle Aluminum, we are proud that our products allow us to participate in this circular and sustainable economic solution. While damaged and unusable merchandise from other industries often ends up in landfills, ours go straight into a recycle bin to be melted, reused, and returned back to us in the form of new extrusions. There are three main types of scrap material our facility captures for recycling:

1. Shavings and debris from fabrication processes
2. Sample pieces that do not meet our high standards due to scratches or imperfections
3. Extrusions that have been damaged during shipping

Everything is stored in barrels and roll-off containers for periodic visits from a local scrap recycler when they are hauled away to become new, aluminum angles, channels, architectural trims, aluminum tubing, and more.

Do the anodized or powder coat finishes on aluminum scrap affect their recyclability?

The short answer to this question is, “not really.” According to the Aluminum Anodizers Council, “Recyclability is unaltered by anodizing, and no intermediate processing is needed for anodized metal to re-enter the recycle chain.” While many people may be under the impression that powder coated aluminum is no longer recyclable, modern powder coatings are typically organic and burn off during the smelting process rather than leaving behind heavy metal contamination.

A Final Note on Aluminum Recycling

A recent report released by The Aluminum Association suggests that we should be treating aluminum scrap as a strategic asset as recycled material is a crucial aspect of U.S. metal supply. Creating secondary aluminum from scrap is also more energy efficient than producing new aluminum. While the carbon impact of aluminum production in North America has dropped to its lowest point in history, recycling more aluminum can dramatically speed up industry emissions reductions. Aluminum recycling efforts in the U.S. save oil equivalent to more than 90 million barrels each year. Between 2022 and 2024, jobs in secondary aluminum production/recycling grew by 12.5%, and efforts to increase the U.S. recycling rate to 90% by 2030 are projected to add approximately 104,000 new jobs. Basically, recycling aluminum is good for both the environment and the economy.

Eagle Aluminum: Your Partner for Sustainable Design

Eagle Aluminum, your trusted aluminum extrusion supplier, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the specific needs of your commercial architectural project when choosing aluminum materials. As sustainability becomes progressively important, the recyclability of aluminum is a major advantage when searching for eco-friendly materials.
For further information on our aluminum extrusions and how Eagle Aluminum can assist you in selecting the ideal aluminum material for your project, contact us today. Let us help you unlock the full potential of aluminum in your commercial space while also supporting a closed-loop economy