Low cost small scale recycling aluminium cans for energy conservation and environmental sustainability.

Abstract

A smart, low-cost small-scale aluminium (Al) beverage cans recycling technology is needed to solve the problem of abandoned cans around the world. In this research, a small-scale Al recycling system which is clean, safe, sustainable, easy to use and low cost, has been developed. It uses natural solar energy as the power source, a smart induction furnace to quickly melt the Al cans and two filters to purify the generated gas during the melting. High value-added products can be obtained by direct casting. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is used to evaluate the environmental performance of the newly developed system compared with the traditional Al recycling technology. Results have shown that the low-cost small-scale Al recycling technology performs better in environmental categories such as climate change, ozone depletion and eutrophication, while the traditional recycling method shows advantage in acidification, eutrophication (terrestrial), and eutrophication (marine). This low cost small-scale Al recycling system is easy to duplicate and to operate. It is a promising sustainable technology to support the large-scale recycling technology by low cost and easy processing, engaging and empowering more people in communities, households and small enterprises, in undeveloped areas.