Is Aluminium Infinitely Recyclable? Here’s What You Need to Know
Aluminium is one of the world’s most sustainable materials. Strong, lightweight, and durable, it has a superpower that sets it apart: it can be recycled infinitely without losing quality.
That means the can in your hand today could one day return as another drink can, part of a car, a building frame, or even the foil wrapping your lunch. And through Containers for Change, it gets that chance to live on again and again.
The science behind infinite recycling
Aluminium, like all metals, is made of atoms bonded in a crystal structure. This unique structure means it can be melted down and re-formed over and over again without changing its properties.1
According to the International Aluminium Institute, that’s why aluminium is classed as a “permanent material” - it never wears out, no matter how many times it’s recycled.
A material that keeps on giving
Recycling aluminium isn’t just clever science, it’s seriously powerful for the planet.
According to the Aluminium Association of Australia, 75% of the almost 1.5 billion tonnes of aluminium ever produced is still in use today.2
It’s also incredibly energy efficient: recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy it would take to produce new metal from raw bauxite ore.
In fact, recycling a single can saves enough energy to power your TV for three hours.3 Not bad for something most people finish in a few sips.
What can recycled aluminium become?
When you recycle an aluminium can, it can come back as a wide range of everyday items, including:
- A brand-new beverage can
Electronics
Car parts
Building products and materials
Kitchen foil
Takeaway packaging
From your drink to your driveway, or your lunch wrap to your laptop - aluminium really does get around.
The takeaway
Aluminium isn’t waste - it’s a forever resource. By recycling through Containers for Change, you’re keeping it in the loop, saving energy, and giving every can another shot at life. And of course, you pocket 10-cents for each one.
Ready to start making your impact?