Solar Recycling of Aluminum Cans

Abstract Planet Earth receives about twelve hours of sunlight per day on average, but global warming poses a serious threat to its climate and ecosystems. One of the main causes of global warming is the emission of greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the atmosphere. Recycling is one of the many actions that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve natural resources. Examining the case of Jackson County, NC, where the solid waste and recycling department manages the collection and transportation of recyclable materials from the surrounding area. The transfer station in Jackson County oversees the collection of various recyclable resources, such as paper, cans, and aluminum. These materials are sorted and distributed by Curbside Management, a company based in Woodfin, NC. This transfer station handles about 1,400 tons of paper, 700 tons of cans, and 35 tons of aluminum per year. The cost of transporting these materials to the sorting facility is about $660 per load. Aluminum accounts for approximately 5% of the total recyclable materials, but it has a high market value of $1,231 per ton. According to the American Chemical Society, “Aluminum recycling is profitable because extracting this metal from aluminum ore is expensive, it pollutes the environment, and it consumes a significant amount of energy” [1]. Therefore, recycling aluminum not only saves money, but also reduces environmental impact and energy consumption. However, recycling aluminum is not without its challenges. For instance, Jackson County’s transfer station uses diesel trucks and electric lifts to store and collect recyclable goods. These vehicles and equipment consume fossil fuels and electricity, which generate greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to global warming. Thus, the question arises: how can we achieve zero emissions recycling? This paper hopes to expose the environmental and economic benefits of recycling aluminum and the challenges and opportunities for achieving zero-emission recycling. In addition, the paper will explore some practical solutions, modernizing the method of recycling aluminum cans and recovering their material using simple equipment that uses the sun’s energy to melt a material, instead of using electricity or other traditional sources that uses fossil fuel. This scope aims to investigate environmentally friendly recycling with zero carbon footprint, improving recycling efficiency, and implementing sustainable manufacturing techniques.