This can will go on a journey! |
Every time you make the choice to recycle, instead of dispose, a soda can- it goes on a journey. The life of a soda can really begins from the moment is is recycled.
Here are the steps many of your cans have gone through:
- Customer takes can to a recycling center or puts it into a recycling bin.
- The can is transported to a processing facility.
- A giant magnet lifts out cans that are made of metals such steel. Since aluminum cans aren't magnetic, they drop down to a conveyor belt and are gathered.
- The aluminum is shredded, washed and turned into aluminum chips.
- The chips are melted in a large furnace.
- The melted aluminum is poured into molds called "ingots."
- The ingots are taken to a factory where they're melted into rolls of thin, flat sheets.
- From the sheets, manufacturers make new products, including new beverage cans, pie pans, license plate frames, and aluminum foil.
- Beverage companies fill the cans and deliver them to grocery stores for customers to purchase.
- Customers take used cans to a recycling center and the process starts all over again.
Recycling is one of the easiest ways to live a green life!
This list was included in the online article "What Can I Recycle" on Waste Management.com (wm.com/thinkgreen/). Read the full article here.
No comments:
Post a Comment