Aluminium recycling tips

See also Aluminium

• Recycle Aluminum Cans - it saves 95% of the Energy required to make the same amount of Aluminum from its virgin source. One ton of recycled Aluminum saves 14,000 KWH of Energy, 40 barrels of oil, 238 million BTUs of Energy and 10 cubic yards of landfill space. Wash and squash cans before recycling. Only recycle clean aluminium foil.

• Separate aluminium (drinks cans) - non-magnetic, from steel (food tins) - magnetic. Aerosols can be made from either, so test by using a magnet. Write to recycle-more@valpak.co.uk to request a free magnet. Never pierce or crush aerosols even when empty. Only put empty aerosols in recycling schemes i.e. when you cannot get any more out by pressing the button.

• Crisp wrappers (metallised plastic film) cannot be recycled. Metallised plastic springs back when scrunched. Advice: contact Alupro for details of their Cash for Cans scheme and BAMA for any aerosol queries.

• In the UK, we use 35,000 tonnes of aluminium foil a year to wrap food, but recycle just 12 per cent of that. Aluminium can be recycled over and over again with no loss of quality, but if you'd rather avoid it completely, try these ideas. Wrap packed lunches and picnic food with greaseproof paper - and then compost it afterwards. Store leftovers in the fridge in an empty margarine tub or tupperware container - or simply cover your leftovers with a plate.