Aluminum cans used as refrigerant packaging, juice and beer are leaders in recycling in Brazil, this activity that brings many benefits to the population and the preservation of the environment.

Only in 2007, Brazil recycled 11.9 billion cans, equivalent to 32.6 million per day or 1.4 million per hour! This means 96.5% of manufactured cans and marketed in the country, content that makes Brazil the leader in recycling aluminum cans.

It is important to know that recycling helps to save natural resources (bauxite), combating pollution of rivers and streets, saves electricity and generates income for more than 170,000 people.

Want to help even more recycle cans? Novelis, the world leader in recycling aluminum cans, gives tips:
After collecting the cans, empty them well. If possible, let them dry in a ventilated place;
Put them in plastic bags and seal them well;
Delivered to collection sites (supermarkets, schools, selective collection bins in your neighborhood etc).

Who lives in São Paulo or in the Paraíba Valley region can collaborate with the project “Recycle one Smile” educational action Novelis held in shopping centers such as Eldorado, in São Paulo and Taubaté Shopping. Through a constant campaign of selective collection, the initiative encourages visitors to deposit the empty aluminum cans in containers installed near the bins of food courts.

Since 2003, when the project began, they have been collected approximately R $ 65,000, amount donated to charities. This equates to more than 28 tons of aluminum cans.

Novelis also keeps the Sao Paulo Zoo since 2006, the campaign “If you call the color. Set right in the sink. “The panels, boards and information material distributed by the park invite everyone to participate in the selective collection. In addition, at strategic points were installed 100 colorful collectors, which take into account the type of waste: yellow for metal, blue for paper, plastic red to brown to gray food and non-recyclable.

Recycling is also learned at school
Developed in partnership with state departments of education, environment and the municipalities of Pindamonhangaba (SP), Candeias (BA) and Ouro Preto (MG), the project “Tomorrow’s Society”, designed by Novelis involves annually more 18 thousand children, 110 schools and 750 teachers from public and private schools.

The objective of this action, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2008, is to make teachers bring into the classroom information to help educate students about the importance of recycling and environmental preservation. The methodology combines theoretical and practical content, and recreational activities, all related to environmental education. The work is carried out in a multidisciplinary way and uses cross-cutting issues such as ethics and citizenship.

Did you know?

Aluminium can be recycled countless times without losing its quality;
The aluminum can is light, practical, easy to carry, resistant to moisture and light, does not rust and freeze faster;
The tin returns to the point of sale in just 30 days;
A tonne (one thousand kilograms) of recycled aluminum prevents extraction of five tons of bauxite, mineral from which aluminum is produced;
The recycling of aluminum saves 95% of the electricity required for the production of primary metal. This is equivalent to the amount of enough energy to supply a city with over a million inhabitants.

Authorship: Margarete Storto (G.P. Comunicação / Novelis)