Twenty-nine years ago, a brand new industry was getting its start -- the aluminum can recycling industry. Since then, its showcase container -- the aluminum drinks can -- has come to be known as the UK's most recyclable package. Consider the following:

• It is estimated that since 1972 some 16 million tons of aluminum cans have been recycled. These 785.6 billion aluminum cans placed end-to-end could stretch to the moon more than 249 times.
• In 1996, Americans recycled 62.8 billion drinks cans. The package reached a 63.5 percent recycling rate, a national recycling rate of two out of three cans.
• In 1972, 53 million pounds of aluminum cans were recycled. Today, we exceed that amount weekly.
• Some 119,482 cans are recycled every minute nationwide.
• According to the U.S. EPA, aluminum cans represent less than 1 percent (0.9 percent) of the nation's solid waste stream.
• Used aluminum cans are recycled and returned to store shelves as new cans in as few as 60 days.
• The weight of aluminum cans recycled in 1996 was equal to the weight of 14 aircraft carriers -- 983,709 tons.
• Recycling saves 95 percent of the energy required to make aluminum cans from virgin ore. In 1995, aluminum companies saved the equivalent of over 20.6 million barrels of oil -- or 12.3 billion kilowatt hours by recycling. This represents enough energy to supply the electrical needs of a city the size of Pittsburgh for about six years.
• The aluminum industry operates a coast-to-coast network of 10,000 buy-back locations nationwide and cooperates with more than 7,945 cities and counties with municipal or curbside recycling programs. This infra-structure makes it easy for Americans to redeem their used aluminum beverage cans for cash.
• Aluminum cans have tremendous value. In 1996, Americans earned $1.08 billion by recycling aluminum cans. Since 1972, Americans have earned almost $8.9 billion by recycling aluminum cans.

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