Issues in the melting and reclamation of aluminum scrap

The processing of aluminum scrap has been practiced for as long as aluminum has been produced due to the inherent value of the metal and the amount of energy required to produce primary aluminum from bauxite ore. Scrap can be remelted at a fraction of the expense. With the large-scale introduction of aluminum beverage containers in the 1970s, increases in energy costs, and the need to reduce solid waste, aluminum recycling has grown at an increasing rate. This article provides a overview of the technologies and issues that surround the melting and reclamation of aluminum scrap.