Once aluminium - always aluminium.
The idea of a full-loop life cycle really works with this basic material that is used all around the world in so many different spheres. Scrap aluminium can be reprocessed again and again into high-grade aluminium, and each time aluminium is recycled, valuable energy is saved.
This even applies to used, heavily soiled household aluminium that is thrown into an aluminium collecting bin instead of being put out with the rubbish. To guarantee that we’re not pulling the wool over your eyes with such statements, IGORA had EMPA’s experts check whether it really was worth recycling dirty mustard and mayonnaise tubes. The results surprised us all - even IGORA’s own experts!
Two further studies were recently produced by EMPA in partnership with two other organisations. This time, it was aluminium beverage cans, pet food containers and aluminium tubes that were put under the microscope. The authors’ conclusion was very positive: "Collecting makes sense".

If you would like to know more about either of these two studies, please click here: you can download them onto your computer as PDF documents.

• Aluminium beverage cans:
  The results of the sustainability study
  
  
  
• Aluminium beverage cans: Summary
  The results of the sustainability study
  
  
  Video of:
• A.H. Wirtz, Alcan