This abundant, versatile and affordable metal can be repurposed infinitely, while maintaining its strength and purity. More importantly, recycling it uses 95% less energy than producing it from its raw form (and uses 50% less water too). This makes it one of the most sustainable materials on the planet (glass is the only other material that can be endlessly recycled). In Canada, on average, we recycle a decent 71% or our aluminum, yet there is room for improvement. Europe and Brazil are regularly reaching numbers between 80 – 98%. Since aluminum takes up to 500 years to fully degrade in a landfill, it seems like getting the other 29% to our depots, just makes good sense. At Island Return It, we are ready to receive your returns at our 4 locations on Vancouver Island.

Consider setting up a home counting system for your aluminum cans (pop, alcohol & bi-metal need to be sorted separately). The easiest way to keep track is to hang a clip board and pen beside your bins, and make a chicken scratch each time you add a can. Easy. Once you get the hang of it, it really becomes second nature. Kids enjoy tallying up the totals too. Our staff will smile when you come in with your clear plastic bag of cans accurately pre-counted. Thank you!

Note: Please make sure cans are emptied of liquids (and cigarette butts), especially as the weather heats up and the wasps come out.

If you are looking for a handy bag system for your aluminum can recycling, Island Return It has Bag Buddies for sale (see picture above) for $20. Replacement plastic bags are $.50

This well oiled machine that is in place for collecting aluminum, is a great reminder how as a society, we can adapt to recycling much more. Think about repurposing more soft plastics, electronic components, and batteries for example. Imagine if we captured 80-90% of those resources and repurposed them. Those days are here. Let’s reuse what ever we can to protect our precious planet.

How aluminum is used: