Aluminum foil is one of the basic supplies around the house, used with leftovers and covering baking dishes. Its versatility and convenience make it an essential item in most kitchens. But after it has served its purpose, the question most of us would ask is: Is Aluminum Foil Recyclable? The answer is yes, but with some important considerations.
The Basics of Aluminum Foil Recycling
While being a very recyclable metal itself, there is no excuse for aluminum foil to be left behind. Indeed, the recycling process of aluminum itself is amazingly efficient: one ton of aluminum saves 14,000 kWh of energy, 40 barrels of oil, 130 tons of bauxite, and 10 cubic yards of landfill space from being used in the first place. In any case, what really matters in the successful recycling of aluminum foil is its condition.
The Condition of Aluminum Foil Matters
Aluminum foil is only recyclable if it's clean and free of food residue. When aluminum comes into contact with grease, oil, or particulate matter of food, it can't be reprocessed through conventional streams of recycling. Contaminated foil creates issues at facilities by disturbing the melting process due to food residue, hence causing impurities in the recycled aluminum.
Always clean the aluminum foil neatly and then put it in your recycling bin. If the foil gets contaminated with food and can't be cleaned, it's better to put it in the trash than to contaminate other recyclables.
Recycling with Specialized Services like EZ on The Earth
EZ on the Earth Division has grown to be one of the country's largest providers of recycling kits. They have solutions for most recyclable materials. They have a well-developed web store where ordering the recycling kits you might need is easy, shipping is quick, and their new innovative packaging will ensure that your recyclables are taken care of.
The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Aluminum Foil
Recycling aluminum foil is very environmentally-friendly. Aluminum is a non-renewable resource; driving out new aluminum requires a lot of energy, and this mining process is generally very pollutants-intensive. By recycling aluminum foil, natural resources will be conserved, energy usage lowered, and less damage done to the environment from aluminum production.
Moreover, aluminum can be recycled as many times as one wishes with no loss in quality, making it a very sustainable material. For instance, aluminum foil, when recycled, is used to make new aluminum products, such as beverage cans and auto parts, among others, thereby contributing to the creation of a circular economy where materials are in constant use and remade into different applications.
Conclusion
Yes, aluminum foil is recyclable, but it must be cleaned and free of contaminants before entering the recycle bin. You can take that extra step in cleaning your aluminum foil or use specialized recycling services like EZ on the Earth to ensure this highly valued material will not end up landfilled and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The next time you use aluminum foil, just remember: It doesn't need to end up in the landfill. When properly cared for and recycled, the aluminum foil can be remade into a number of new products and help preserve resources along with the environment for future generations.