It Starts From

SORTING Cans go to a sorting centre where they are separated from other materials using magnetic currents.
BAILING UP Separated cans are bailed up into large, heavily compressed cubes and sent to a recycling facility.
SHREDDING Bales of cans are shredded into smaller pieces. Any ferrous particles left are removed with the help of a magnet and the aluminium is then further isolated by electric currents.
REMELTING The shreds are heated so the decoration can be removed. The energy released by this process is recovered, minimizing energy inputs.
INGOT CASTING At the recycling plant, cans are melted and shaped into huge aluminium blocks.
ROLLING The blocks are rolled into thin sheets and coils from which they're made into new cans.
MANUFACTURING Drink cans are manufactured by shaping aluminium into a cylindrical shape.
DRINK CANS The cans are printed at tremendous speed and with extreme accuracy. They are now ready to be filled and return to stores.
COLLECTION The first step is to collect the cans. If they're not collected, then they can't be recycled.

And everything starts again!

The whole process is incredibly quick - old drink cans become part of a new bike, car, coffee pot or even new cans within 60 days of being collected. And every drink can can be recycled over and over again, forever.

1. Collection

The first step is to collect the cans. If they're not collected, then they can't be recycled.

2. Sorting

Cans go to a erting centre where they are separated from other materials using magnetic currents.

3. Baling up

Separated cans are baled up into large, heavily compressed cubes and sent to a recycling facility.

4. Shredding

Bales of cans are shredded into smaller pieces. Any ferrous particles left are removed with the help of a magnet and the aluminium is then further isolated by electric currents.

5. Remelting

The shreds are heated so the decoration can be removed. The energy released by this process is recovered, minimizing energy inputs.

6. Ingot casting

At the recycling plant, cans are melted and shaped into huge aluminium blocks.

7. Rolling

The blocks are rolled into thin sheets and coils from which they're made into new cans.

8. Manufacturing

Drink cans are manufactured by shaping aluminium into a cylindrical shape.

9. Beverage cans

The cans are printed at tremendous speed and with extreme accuracy. They are now ready to be filled and return to stores.

Reasons why the aluminum can is
the most recycled container

Product design: one homogenous material
Easy and economically viable to handle
Pull tab integrated, that stays with the can
Not a contaminant for other materials
Fully recyclable despite colours and format
Metal recycles forever, not just a few times
High residual value: €800 - 1,000/tonne

Can’s story

It Starts From