Cans Cans Cans - Recycling

Aluminum pull tabs are used to open soda cans. They operate via the principle of leverage. Force is applied to the top of the tab at an angle, which is directed into the incised metal lid. The unsecured loans effort pops open a small section of the lid to allow access to the liquid inside. These pop tops are made from the same material as the cans and both are recycled together.

1. Aluminum

   • Coke cans are 99 percent aluminum, including the pop top. Aluminum is refined from bauxite, which is a rock containing aluminum and other minerals. It is resistant to corrosion. It is a low-cost material thanks to recycling and aluminum's abundance in nature. This metal is sustainable. About two-thirds of all aluminum ever mined is still in use today via recycling efforts. The average can is used, recycled, turned into another can and placed back on store shelves in 60 days.

   Other Materials in Cans

   • The body of a Coke can is an alloy with just a little bit of manganese to improve its strength and durability. Manganese is generally found in mineral rocks. Naturally occurring pure manganese is rare. The inside of the can is lined with a thin layer of plastic used to protect the metal from reacting with the acids in the soda and corroding the aluminum. The outside of the can is coated with inks. These materials are removed during the recycling process.

   Recycling

   • Aluminum cans are among the most frequently recycled material. Fifty percent of all the aluminum cans produced are recycled. This is because it's cheaper and takes less energy to recycle aluminum than to actually mine the material. Cans are cut into equal sized pieces, cleaned and compressed into blocks for recycling. These blocks are melted down and extraneous materials refined out. The molten liquid is poured into ingots, slabs or atomized into a powder for later use.

   Pull Tab Redemption Rumors

   • For years an urban legend has persisted that people can collect aluminum bad credit loans can tops for various charitable programs. In particular, the Kidney Foundation has dealt with persistent rumors that a pull top redemption program exists in which pop tops can be exchanged for time on a dialysis machine. This program does not exist. In fact, collecting just pop tops for recycling is less efficient and profitable than collecting entire pop cans. Empty aluminum cans weigh about 1/2 oz. each, while the pop top makes up just a gram or two.