aluminium recycling process guide

One metal, with infinite chances to reuse it. Imagine this: a soft drink can is tossed in the recycling bin. Within just 60 days, that same aluminium could be back in action as another can, a building panel, or part of a vehicle. You don’t need to imagine it; just open your eyes. It happens every day in UK homes, factories, and construction sites.

Best of all, the aluminium recycling process goes far beyond speed. According to ALFED, it saves up to 95% of the energy needed to make new aluminium and keeps around 75% of all aluminium ever produced in active use. That means fewer emissions, less landfill waste, and a lower environmental footprint all around. Yes, we’re talking about this situation for manufacturers and consumers alike!

In this guide, we’ll explore how aluminium is recycled and why it matters. We’ll also see how recycled aluminium for packaging or cut-to-size sheets helps make better, more sustainable products.

Why Aluminium Recycling Matters

Recycling aluminium is an eco-friendly bonus and one of the most innovative ways to reduce waste, energy use, and emissions.

When aluminium is made from scratch, the process starts with bauxite ore, which has to be mined, refined, and smelted. These steps require vast amounts of energy and come with a heavy environmental cost. In contrast, recycling aluminium bypasses these steps entirely, preserving the same high-quality material while drastically reducing the carbon footprint.

One of aluminium’s biggest advantages is that it doesn’t wear out. It can be recycled again and again without losing strength or quality. In fact, the International Aluminium Association reports that 75% of all aluminium ever made is still in circulation today.

And it’s not just soft drink cans. According to Every Can Counts, the UK recycled nearly 10.7 billion aluminium cans in 2023 alone. However, frames, foil, food trays, and even manufacturing off-cuts are routinely recycled too.

At Clickmetal, we’re proud to support this process. Our cut-to-size aluminium service helps prevent waste before it starts. We give you just what you need, with no offcuts, excess, or compromise.

How the Aluminium Recycling Process Works

Recycling aluminium is one of the simplest ways to cut emissions and save resources, but what actually happens after it’s collected?

Here’s how the aluminium recycling process works, step by step:

  1. Collection: Aluminium is gathered from households, construction sites, and industrial waste streams. From cans and trays to cladding and cuttings, it’s all valuable.
  2. Sorting: At recycling facilities, aluminium is sorted from other materials. Magnets, eddy currents, and advanced sorting systems are used to achieve this. Proper separation ensures quality metal is reused in new products, like car parts and building materials.
  3. Cleaning & Melting: The clean aluminium is melted down at around 660°C, using a fraction of the energy needed to extract it from ore. Impurities are removed, and the molten metal is cast into blocks or billets.
  4. Reformation: Depending on their subsequent use, these aluminium blocks are rolled, cut, or extruded into sheets, bars, or components.
  5. Reuse: According to Recycle More, recycled aluminium can return to the supply chain in just 60 days. It can be used to make new cans, window frames, or custom aluminium parts for your next project.

At Clickmetal, we support this process with metal processing services that ensure the aluminium you order is cut to spec with no delays or waste.

The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Aluminium

When it comes to sustainable materials, aluminium stands out. Recycling plays a massive role in making it one of the most planet-friendly metals available.

Producing new aluminium from raw materials uses a lot of energy. But recycling it? That takes just a fraction. According to DEFRA, making aluminium from recycled stock uses only 5% of the energy needed to make it from scratch. That’s a massive win for energy efficiency and helps cut industrial emissions, too.

There are other environmental benefits, too. Recycling reduces our need for bauxite mining. This mining can cause deforestation, pollute waterways, and harm habitats. Keeping aluminium in circulation reduces the need to dig for more, protecting natural ecosystems in the process.

What makes aluminium especially valuable is its durability. It can be recycled over and over again without losing quality. That’s why it’s so well suited to a circular economy, where materials stay in use rather than end up as waste.

It also helps ease the pressure on landfill sites. If aluminium isn’t recycled, it can sit underground for up to 500 years, taking up space and offering no further use. Recycling keeps it in the loop and back in action.

At Clickmetal, we take that one step further. Our cut-to-size aluminium ensures you only use what’s needed, reducing waste before it begins.

Smarter Material, Lower Impact

Recycled aluminium isn’t a compromise; it’s a better way to build.

Aluminium is one of the few materials that combines long-term durability with endless reusability. Thanks to a quick and efficient recycling process, it helps cut emissions, supporting more sustainable construction, manufacturing, and design.

Choosing recycled aluminium doesn’t mean compromising on strength or quality. It means choosing to use what we already have. This includes cutting waste, saving resources, and keeping materials where they should be.

At Clickmetal, we make this easy. Our aluminium is cut to your exact size right here. We deliver it quickly across the UK, and no minimum order is required. Ready to source aluminium that matches your specs and supports your values?

Call 01794 526090 or get in touch online or browse our selection of aluminium in stock today.