Is Aluminum Can Lining Recyclable?

Is lining inside an aluminum can recyclable? That would be a critical question in terms of modern recycling. Aluminum can lining is usually done internally with a thin coating of polymer that prevents corrosion and protects beverages and food from directly coming into contact with the metal. Even though the primary body of such a can made of aluminum is highly recyclable, its lining further complicates the process.
On the global scale, aluminum is currently recycled at 75% efficiency, meaning three-quarters of all aluminum ever produced is still used today. However, the lining, typically made from substances like epoxy or polyester, is not separately recycled but instead is burned off in the smelting process of aluminum, which is a necessary step to keep the integrity of the recycled metal. This is done above 660°C so that the lining decomposes without the recovered aluminum getting contaminated.

Facilities for recycling efficiently sort out the aluminum from impurities, which also include the lining. For example, in 2022 alone, over 50 billion aluminum cans were processed at various recycling plants in the United States, saving approximately 95% of the energy needed to make new aluminum. The presence of this lining did not impede the process of recycling because, during smelting, the material is dealt with as a by-product.

Environmental attention has been given to the lining of aluminum cans. In 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency pointed out the chemical makeup of some linings involved the use of BPA in older can designs. Although newer cans are manufactured with BPA-free linings, modern questions regarding their biodegradability are raised. Their role in maintaining food safety and extending product shelf life often outweighs the drawbacks, despite this.

As Bill Gates once noted, “Innovation is the key to reducing our footprint while meeting the world’s needs.” Companies are looking at alternatives that include biodegradable and easily removable linings in order to meet global sustainability goals. Innovations in solvent-based recycling methods could further address the challenges posed by linings and allow a higher degree of material recovery.

For those asking, “Is aluminum can lining recyclable?”, the answer comes from the broadening of the process of recycling as a whole. The lining is not recycled in and of itself, but the process involved with smelting the aluminum makes it so that the can, as a whole, remains entirely recyclable. Check out more on how aluminum cans are recycled by visiting aluminum can lining.

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