Everything you need to know about recycling scrap aluminium
Aluminium - Scrap includes:
Scrap aluminium
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Learn more about recycling scrap aluminium
How to recycle aluminium
Aluminium is a valuable resource which can be recycled infinitely with no waste. One tonne of recycled scrap aluminium will make one tonne of new aluminium.
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Aluminium is a cost-effective material to recycle and there are a numerous commercial metal recyclers operating in Australia that will pay money for scrap.
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Many scrap metal companies offer a combination of drop-off, pick-up and on-site collection bin services. Some on-site bin and collection services may incur a fee.
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Some companies will offer payment for your scrap metal, and some may even offer to collect the metal from your workplace for free.
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Use the directory on this page to find a recycler near you.
Why recycle?
Aluminium occurs in nature as bauxite, a mixture of aluminium oxides, iron oxides and clay. Manufacturing this metal is a complex and energy intensive process. Producing recycled aluminium saves 95 percent of the energy used to make aluminium from raw materials. Recycling also decreases the amount of waste in landfill, reduces the demand for raw materials and reduces water use. Millions of dollars are now being paid annually for scrap aluminium.
Recycling one tonne of scrap aluminium:
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Reduces 17.7 tonnes of greenhouse gases (CO2e).
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Reduces energy use to the equivalent of 106 houses for a whole month.
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Prevents around 28 wheelie bins of steel from going to landfill.
Sources:
Data for timber pallets/packaging (Commercial & Industrial and Construction & Demolition recycling only) contained in Table 4 (p.14) Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (2010) Environmental Benefits of Recycling, DECCW, Sydney South.
“Everyday” cumulative energy demand savings expressed as average household monthly electricity requirements (500 kWh). 191.4 GJ LHV (53,2145 kWh). 1GJ LHV = 278kWh (GJ LHV = Giga-joules of fossil energy (low heating value); kWh = Kilowatt hour)
What happens to it?
Aluminium recyclers compact and sort the scrap aluminium before delivery to the recycling site. Scrap aluminium is then classified so the processing path can be determined. Un-coated aluminium is loaded directly into a large furnace and heated at high temperatures and turned into molten form. Coated aluminium is processed to remove any coatings and then transferred to the smelter. Alloys are added to suit the end purpose of the aluminium then cast and rolled into sheets.
Recycling other metals
Find recycling services for common scrap metals.
Copper
Copper can be recycled infinitely as it does not degrade when processed. Recycling scrap copper can reduce emissions and energy output compared to production from virgin materials.
Iron and steel
Recycling ferrous metals, such as scrap iron and steel, can save up to 75 percent of the energy needed to make products from raw materials.
Lead
Lead is classified as a hazardous waste and is highly toxic to most species. Lead can be effectively recycled for reuse in new lead based products, diverting it from landfill and using less energy than refining primary ore.
Mercury
Mercury can be a potent neurotoxin which can affect human and animal health. When products that contain mercury are sent to landfill, they can contaminate the groundwater and release toxic compounds. Instead, we should recover mercury for use in new products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is metal recyclable?
As metals are a non-renewable resource (i.e. we cannot make new metals so there is a finite amount on the planet), and the mining and manufacturing of metals has a high energy demand and may cause environmental degradation, it is important to recycle metal products, where possible.
Most metals can be recycled, provided the right infrastructure is in place. This includes both ferrous and non-ferrous metals (i.e. metals that do and do not contain iron). Many other metals can be recycled via a scrap metal recycler – use the search bar on this page to find a recycler near you.
How is metal recycled?
Whether you recycle steel and aluminium cans via your household recycling bin or drop other metal items off to a scrap metal recycler, the first step in the metal recycling process is sorting. Metals are generally sorted via magnets but may also be sorted by hand. Next, the metal is generally shredded before being melted in a furnace – the type of metal determines the temperature required for melting. The metal is then purified to remove contaminants, before cooling into a solid form (such as bars or sheets) for use in new products.
Recycled metal has many uses, some examples include airplanes, cars, door and window frames, bikes, sinks and bathtubs, electronic appliances and food and beverage packaging.
Can rusted metal be recycled?
Iron and metals that contain iron (including all types of steel) are prone to rust. Rust is caused by long-term exposure to oxygen and water.
Luckily, most scrap metal recyclers should be happy to accept your rusted metal, as the rust can be removed during the recycling process. Always call the recycler in advance to check before dropping it off.
Where does metal come from?
Metals are naturally occurring elements found in ore (a type of rock containing minerals). Ore is a non-renewable resource, which means there is a finite amount of ore on the planet as it is estimated to take millions of years to form. Ore containing metal is created via a number of processes, including volcanic activity and erosion. Many meteorites also contain ore.
Different types of ore contain particular minerals and metals. For example, aluminium is found in the ore called bauxite.
The mining of metals is often complex and quite destructive to the environment. Once extracted from the earth, the ore containing metals is crushed by heavy machinery. The metal is then separated from the crushed rock via heat, chemicals and/or electricity.
What are metals?
Metals are naturally occurring elements found in minerals within rocks – these rocks are called ore. Some familiar examples of metals include gold, silver, copper, lead and iron. Many metals are good conductors of electricity and heat. They’re also often strong and tough and can be easily shaped and moulded without breaking.
We are heavily reliant on metals, as they are used in many industries and products, including steel, medicines, vehicles, and food and beverage packaging. The mining of metals is often complex and quite destructive to the environment. It is, therefore, important to recycle metals to ensure the resources are continuously used, which reduces demand to mine new metals from the earth.
What are ferrous metals?
Ferrous metals are those with a high iron content, including iron (obviously) and all types of steel.
You can test to see if your metal is ferrous using a magnet. Magnets will stick to ferrous metals but not non-ferrous metals.
What are non-ferrous metals?
Non-ferrous metals are those which do not contain iron (metals that are not primarily related to steel making). Examples include aluminium, copper, lead, magnesium, nickel, tin and zinc.
What are rare earth metals?
Rare earth metals are those which are difficult to extract from the earth. Despite their name, they’re not exactly rare. However, they’re not often found in concentrations high enough to make their mining and extraction financially viable. There are 17 metals within this category including scandium, yttrium and lanthanum.
Although not extracted in large amounts, rare earth metals are used to make things like glass and ceramics. They’re also essential for many new technologies, including lasers, smart phones, computers, LCD screens, LED lights, MRI technology and clean energy technology (including magnets for wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles).
Can rare earth metals be recycled?
Rare earth metals are found in a number of important technologies, including smart phones, computers, LCD screens, LED lights, MRI technology and clean energy technology (including magnets for wind turbines and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles).
Mining, extracting and manufacturing rare earth metals is costly (not just in terms of finance, but also in terms of time and the environmental impacts). However, due to the difficulty associated with recycling rare earth metals, currently, only a low percentage of these metals are recovered for reuse or recycling. Therefore, a lot of effort is being put into finding recycling solutions for these metals and designing products to be more easily remanufactured and/or recycled.
How many times can metal be recycled?
Most metals (both ferrous and non-ferrous) can be recycled over and over again, without losing quality.
How much metal is recycled?
According to the 2022 National Waste Report, in Australia, 87% of metals were recovered through reuse and recycling during 2020-21.
Although steel is the most recycled material in the world (90% of steel is recycled at end-of-life), generally, the recycling rates of metals are much lower than their potential for reuse. For example, in a study of 60 metals, less than 1/3 were found to have a recycling rate above 50%.
There are some metals which cannot be recycled, however, you’re unlikely to encounter them as a member of the public – these include radioactive metals like Uranium and Plutonium, and the highly toxic mercury.
