Many of us know recycling is necessary to reduce our environmental impact and preserve our planet. However, do you know the significance of each recyclable material and the purpose it serves? The second most used packaging material in the United States is aluminum, and the importance of recycling this metal may surprise you.

Here are three reasons why you should drop off your aluminum at your closest recycling center:

• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Less than half of all aluminum cans produced in the United States are recycled; that’s 50 billion going to waste disposal each year. When aluminum is manufactured, greenhouse gases like carbon monoxide are emitted into the atmosphere. When it is broken down, sulfur oxide and nitrate oxide are released, which contribute to acid rain and smog. However, using recycled aluminum only produces 5% the amount that manufactured aluminum does.
• Repurpose for Future Use: Aluminum is the world’s most recycled package product. That means that what is recycled can be put to future use. Aluminum doesn’t degrade over time the way other materials do, which is why so many people donate them to recycling centers. For example, aluminum recycled from old cans can be made into new ones and put back onto store shelves in just two months.
• Reduce Mining: To create aluminum, bauxite ore must be extracted from mines. During this process, the vegetation on tops of the mines is destroyed, which wreaks havoc on the environment. When you recycle aluminum, you are eliminating the need for dangerous mining practices, helping the environment and utilizing an extremely useful material that virtually never degrades and can be used over and over again.

Be the change for an eco-friendly world by helping companies like Green Earth in Harrisonburg, VA. They are a recycling center that does aluminum recycling, plastic recycling, and other renewable and reusable services. You can learn more about how to reduce your environmental impact on their website or by calling (540) 801-8668 today.