Briefly, here’s how the aluminum recycling process works Step 1: Sorting Materials placed in recycling bins or other receptacles are taken to waste transfer stations or recovery facilities for sorting. Magnets may be used to separate metals, which leaves aluminum behind since it is non-magnetic. Step 2: Shredding After being taken to reprocessing plants, the aluminum is cut or shredded into small pieces to reduce its volume. Step 3: Cleaning Using mechanical and chemical process, the surfaces of the aluminum pieces are scrubbed clean, to prepare them for melting. Step 4: Melting Scrap aluminum is loaded in bales into high-temperature, high-capacity furnaces, and melted down at temperatures that reach or exceed 750 degrees Celsius. Step 5: Removal of byproducts To purify the molten metal, various waste products created in the melting process are removed, either mechanically or through the use of chlorine and nitrogen gas. Step 6: Creation of aluminum alloy Aluminum alloys are created by adding metals like copper, zinc, magnesium or silicon to the molten mixture. Alloy formulas are chosen ba