Aluminium

Aluminium is a very versatile and valuable metal which can be recycled over and over again without any loss of its properties. Aluminium drinks cans, aerosols, and foil ( clean foil and food containers) can be recycled in the Aluminium Recycling Banks. Please see Recycling Bank Locator for your nearest Aluminium Recycling Bank.

August saw the launch of a new appeal for Isle of Man residents to help plant trees in Africa and on the Island, just by recycling their aluminium cans and foil. The ‘Trees for Africa and UK’ scheme will see a tree planted for every tonne of aluminium recycled until September 2006.

In the sub-Saharan dryland Burkina Faso area of Africa, soil erosion, bush fires, firewood cutting and clearance for agriculture are all threats to the sustainability of the ancient Gabio Forest, and the five village communities it supports. This new scheme, which is sponsored by Alupro, a not-for-profit industry organisation, in partnership with Tree Aid, means that people on the Isle of Man can help the project achieve its environmental aims and at the same time help our own environment. The new trees will be grown from seed in special nurseries as part of a forest management programme. Species have been chosen for their food and medicinal uses - mango, cashew, baobab and acacia - and also because their flowers encourage the production of honey which is sold in local markets to generate much-needed income.

The tree-planting appeal has been started to boost aluminium recycling, which saves up to 95% of the energy needed to make new metal, each and every time it is returned for melting. As new cans are often back on the shelf just six weeks after you recycle the old ones, the energy savings quickly mount up. Last year the Island recycled 25 tonnes of aluminium.

Not all cans are made from aluminium. Some drinks cans are made from steel. Steel cans can be left in the general waste stream as they are recovered for recycling post-burn. Aluminium cans can be identified by the symbol below, or tested with a magnet to see if it sticks. A magnet will not stick to aluminium. For more information about the types of aluminium that can be recycled check out the following Alupro web site.

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