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Recycling rate in Europe

10/22/2019

Brussels,14 October 2019

The overall recycling rate for aluminum beverage cans in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland in 2017 rose 2.3% from 2016 (72.8%), to reach a record 74.5% in 2017.

Almost 31billion cans were recycled in the EU and EFTA countries in 2017

representing a total of more than 420,000 tons of aluminum and Underscoring its

contribution to the European circular economy. All aluminium cans are equally recyclable, no matter the color, design, format or size.


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Did you know ?

9/25/2019

History of Aluminum

The story of aluminum’s history of use in the U.S. now stretches over 100 years. The start was a modest one, however. Because of the complexities of refining aluminum from ore, aluminum was considered more rare and precious than gold or silver through most of the 19th century. A pure form of the metal was first successfully extracted from ore in 1825 by Danish chemist Hans-Christian. Techniques to produce aluminum in ways modestly cost-effective emerged in 1889. This lightweight, 100 percent-recyclable metal has since become a foundation of our country’s infrastructure. Used in packaging, automotive, energy, construction, transportation, energy, aerospace and defense applications, to name a few—aluminum’s impact is so profound that historians may one day look back on our times and declare this “The Age of Aluminum.”

Take-Away Facts

8/15/2019

Aluminum: The choice of presidents

Napoleon III, the first President of the French Republic, served his state dinners on aluminum plates. Rank-and-file guests were served on dishes made with gold or silver.

The Great Depression set the stage

The WPA hydroelectric projects started during the Great Depression were key to developing the electrical capacity needed for industrial-class aluminum production.

1935: The Aluminum Association is founded

In 1933, President Franklin Roosevelt signed the National Industrial Recovery Act, asking industries to establish guidelines for fair competition. The Aluminum Association’s first meeting was held in October 1935, in New York City.

Aluminum goes to the moon

Manned flight was made possible by aluminum. From the Wright brothers through Sputnik, to the Apollo Space Program and beyond, aluminum was essential for major advances in aerospace technology and accomplishment.


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