Basically, recycling it is the reuse of discarded materials, transforming them into other products. As for the aluminum can recycling, Brazil is the world champion in the reuse of this type of waste, an achievement that took place for the seventh consecutive year. The publication of this data was issued by the Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL).
In carrying out the research, it was found that approximately 96.5% of the cans that were made available on the market were intended for recycling. In 2007, about 11.9 billion cans were recycled.
Despite this gigantic number, Brazil depends on cans from other countries. This is due to the fact that what is recycled is used in steel mills, not in soft drinks and other beverage plants.
The high recycling rate that the country presents does not come from the application of measures of sustainable development policies or because it is politically correct, what happens is a factor Social. As there is a huge social inequality in the country, many families find in the cans a source of income supplement, this according to the statements of the president of ABAL, Henio de Nicola.
In Brazil, the numbers linked to recycling generate a very high volume of money. In 2007 alone, the activity moved approximately 1.8 billion reais. Of this total, around 523 million come from the collection of cans, an income-generating activity for approximately 180,000 Brazilians.
By Eduardo de Freitas
Graduated in Geography
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/brasil/o-brasil-campeao-mundial-reciclagem-latas.htm