Contrary to popular belief and appearances, aluminum foil is not always recycled in the yellow bin. While it is true that silver aluminum foil can be placed in the yellow packaging recycling bin, there are important exceptions that you should be aware of and that may come as a surprise.
In this article we are going to clear up all the doubts about where aluminum foil is thrown away to recycle it correctly and what aspects you should take into account.
Where to throw away aluminum foil
It is important to note that this material, which is frequently used in the kitchens of many homes, comes in various forms and is not always appropriate to dispose of in the yellow bin. The central concept in the whole debate about recycling aluminium foil comes down to the term packaging.
Aluminum foil, also known as silver foil, is a thin, flexible sheet composed primarily of aluminum. Its distinctive feature is the ability to be molded and shaped into various forms, making it very practical for a wide range of uses, including wrapping a typical sandwich.
Benefits of aluminum
Composed of thin layers of aluminium measuring less than 0,2 millimetres thick, it can reach remarkably thin dimensions, even below 0,006 millimetres. In kitchens, Food is wrapped in aluminum foil to store in the refrigerator or to take away, and it is also used in cooking. Its most notable characteristics include its resistance to heat, as well as its ability to create a protective barrier against moisture, air and light, which helps to maintain the flavour, freshness and quality of food.
This material offers the advantage of being 100% recyclable.However, its environmental footprint is considerable, so it is essential to limit its use or ensure its correct recycling to reduce its impact.
It is treated as a container
To extract one tonne of aluminium foil, four tonnes of bauxite must be removed from the ground, i.e. four times its weight, not counting the additional resources required for its production, such as energy, water and transport.
As Ecoembes states, the choice of packaging is simple because “aluminium foil is completely recyclable and quite simple.” But where should we dispose of it? It is essential to distinguish between aluminium foil, which is legally classified as packaging, and that which is classified as a product.
The key is in this sentence. Everything that is considered packaging can be recycled. Ecoembes also clarifies that "packaging is understood to be, for example, the wrapper of a chocolate bar, which must be deposited in the yellow container for recycling. On the other hand, The product is the roll of aluminum foil that is used to wrap a sandwich, and that must be disposed of in the ordinary waste container.".
This means that any product you buy wrapped in aluminium foil can be placed in the yellow bin. However, the foil on the roll is not recyclable and should not be placed in the yellow bag or in the packaging bin, but should be disposed of with the rest. This also applies to aluminium trays and tubs.
So what should we do with the disposable aluminum containers provided for takeaway meals such as roast chicken, yogurt or flan? These semi-rigid aluminum containers are common in restaurants and businesses that offer home delivery services. Therefore, it is essential that users know the proper methods for disposing of them, ensuring their disposal in the trash and their efficient recycling.
To begin with, it is essential that the user understands that these aluminium containers must be disposed of in the yellow container. In addition, it is necessary to apply what is known as the ball theory; This means that these aluminum containers and utensils must be classified into different bags based on their hardness and their ability to form a ball.
Partially flexible trays
As an example, disposable aluminum trays fall into the category of semi-rigid aluminum containers. These trays are flexible enough to be molded into a ball, and It is recommended that users form them before placing them in a bag or trash can.
All food scraps and organic waste should be consistently placed in the yellow bin to maximise waste reduction. A frequently asked question concerns the disposal of aluminium lids from yoghurt containers and the like. Naturally, as they are components of a container, these lids should also be recycled in the yellow bin.
Once recycled, aluminium is used to create new packaging, foils and components in factory products such as vehicles and various types of machinery. There are other options as alternatives to aluminium.
How to recycle aluminum foil
Recycling aluminum foil in companies is a key process to reduce environmental impact and save resources. This is the general process that many companies follow to recycle aluminum and turn it into new materials:
- Collection and classification: The first step is to collect used aluminium foil. This can include household aluminium foil, packaging or industrial waste. It is important to separate aluminium from other contaminating materials such as plastics, food or paper attached to it. Recycling companies or sorting plants help with this step.
- Cleaning: After harvesting, the foil is cleaned to remove any food residue or foreign material. This may involve washing or heat treatment to remove organic contaminants.
- Trituration: Once cleaned, the aluminium is crushed into small pieces. This makes it easier to handle and allows the material to be melted more efficiently in the following stages.
- Foundry: Crushed aluminium chunks are fed into furnaces at extremely high temperatures, around 660°C, which is the melting point of aluminium. The aluminium is converted into a liquid which is then cast into ingots or sheets.
- Purification: During the smelting process, any impurities that may have remained in the aluminium are removed. This step is essential to ensure that the recycled material maintains its high quality.
- Transformation into new products: Recycled aluminum ingots can be used to make a wide variety of new products. These products can range from more aluminum foil, to car components, packaging, or building materials. Recycled aluminum retains all the properties of the original aluminum, making it a valuable and highly recyclable material.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about where to throw away aluminum foil.