The Life Cycle of an Aluminum Can
Where do our soda cans go when we finish drinking them?
Step 1: Raise and Extract
Aluminum cans typically start with Bauxite, a compound
formed when aluminum bearing rocks break down. It’s mainly composed of aluminum
oxides, iron and silicone. In 2009, it was stated that humans mine 130 million
tons of Bauxite each year. Four tons of Bauxite eventually makes down to two
tons of aluminum which produces 1 ton of aluminum cans. Bauxite first breaks
down into alumina, which is then converted to aluminum by a process called electrolysis (chemical decomposition produced by passing an
electric current through a liquid or solution containing ions).
Step 2: Process
To get aluminum from the alumina, it must undergo electrolysis.
Before this can happen, the alumina is dissolved in molten cryolite (or sodium
aluminum fluoride) at 1000 degrees Celsius. This is done to enable electrolysis
at lower temperatures. The solution is then put into a container lined with
graphite, where carbon anodes are then submerged into the solution. Electricity
is passed through the solution, which reduces the aluminum ions to aluminum
metal. The liquid aluminum metal sinks to the bottom of the vat.
Step 3: Manufacture
There are many steps in manufacturing aluminum can. Coils of
aluminum are sent to the can plant, where they are uncoiled and lubricated to
help the sheets run smoothly. Next, a process that includes cutting out holes
from the sheet and stretching aluminum is performed to make the general shape
of the can. Each can is edited to have the same width and height, and then
washed. Once the design is applied and heated, a few more final touches are done before the can is ready to use.
Step 4: Use
Almost anywhere you go, you can find aluminum cans. They are
used to hold your favorite sodas and energy drinks. They make up aisles upon
aisles in our grocery stores. Almost every household has multiple cans
scattered throughout.
Step 5: Disposal
Recycling an aluminum can is fairly straightforward process.
The cans are first brought to the recycle plant, where they are cut into small
pieces and thrown into a furnace. Next, the molten material is cooled and
formed into blocks of metal. These blocks are formed into sheets, which are
then used to make new cans.
Creative recycling
Conclusion Questions
a. What is meant by product lifecycle?
A product lifecycle is the stages that a product goes through starting from its natural elements and ending in its disposal.
b. Why is it important for companies who make products to research and determine a product’s potential lifecycle?
It is important for companies to research and determine a product's potential lifecycle because they need to know how fast production needs to be. Too much supply or demand obviously isn't good for a company.
c. What would you change about your product? Why?
If I could change my product, I would change the lip opening on the cans. I'd recreate it in a way that was easier to lift while still having the same result.
d. Do you think your product will evolve or become obsolete over time? Why?
I think that while it is possible that my product could change, I don't see it happening in the near future. People are content with the design of cans now, so unless someone invents a better can, I can't say I see this changing anytime soon.
e. What is a trade-off?
A trade off of using aluminum cans is that these are very recyclable, and therefore leave less of a carbon footprint.
f. Do you think that trade-offs were made during the design phase of your product
No, I believe that the trade-off was made when the aluminum was first extracted. Aluminum is very versatile and can be used again and again without its components changing or wearing off.
g. Why is it important to recycle?
It is important to recycle because it reduces the amount of trash on the planet and is also cost effective for manufacturers.
h. How do product designers play a role in recycling?
Product designers chose which material to make the object out of (therefore making the object recyclable). Or, they could chose to make their product out of recycled materials.
i. What role does society play in the recycling effort?
Society has a large impact on the recycling effort. Without everyone pitching in, there wouldn't be recycling at all.
j. What can you do to help?
To help, I can more actively participate in recycling, as well as promote it more often.
A product lifecycle is the stages that a product goes through starting from its natural elements and ending in its disposal.
b. Why is it important for companies who make products to research and determine a product’s potential lifecycle?
It is important for companies to research and determine a product's potential lifecycle because they need to know how fast production needs to be. Too much supply or demand obviously isn't good for a company.
c. What would you change about your product? Why?
If I could change my product, I would change the lip opening on the cans. I'd recreate it in a way that was easier to lift while still having the same result.
d. Do you think your product will evolve or become obsolete over time? Why?
I think that while it is possible that my product could change, I don't see it happening in the near future. People are content with the design of cans now, so unless someone invents a better can, I can't say I see this changing anytime soon.
e. What is a trade-off?
A trade off of using aluminum cans is that these are very recyclable, and therefore leave less of a carbon footprint.
f. Do you think that trade-offs were made during the design phase of your product
No, I believe that the trade-off was made when the aluminum was first extracted. Aluminum is very versatile and can be used again and again without its components changing or wearing off.
g. Why is it important to recycle?
It is important to recycle because it reduces the amount of trash on the planet and is also cost effective for manufacturers.
h. How do product designers play a role in recycling?
Product designers chose which material to make the object out of (therefore making the object recyclable). Or, they could chose to make their product out of recycled materials.
i. What role does society play in the recycling effort?
Society has a large impact on the recycling effort. Without everyone pitching in, there wouldn't be recycling at all.
j. What can you do to help?
To help, I can more actively participate in recycling, as well as promote it more often.
Sources
http://www.prlog.org/10364317-life-cycle-of-an-aluminum-can.html
http://www.aluminiumdesign.net/why-aluminium/aluminium-life-cycle/
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/recycling-process-for-aluminum
http://www.alcoa.com/rigid_packaging/en/info_page/making_cans.asp
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Aluminum-Beverage-Can.html
http://www.aluminiumdesign.net/why-aluminium/aluminium-life-cycle/
http://curiosity.discovery.com/question/recycling-process-for-aluminum
http://www.alcoa.com/rigid_packaging/en/info_page/making_cans.asp
http://www.madehow.com/Volume-2/Aluminum-Beverage-Can.html