Deep in dismantled car frames, in piles of discarded cans, and in replaced alloy windows and doors,
zinc and aluminum are quietly accumulating as a pair of industrial “twins”. They are lightweight and
have excellent performance, but are often forgotten at the end of their lives. Every time they are successfully
recovered from the waste, is a deep reservation of the earth's resources - the production of a ton of recycled
aluminum, only 5% of the energy needed to mine the original ore; the process of recycling zinc, more to
avoid the risk of heavy metal pollution. This seemingly ordinary combination of metals is becoming a key
force in driving the circular economy and green manufacturing.
From Scrap to Gold: A Precise Journey of Zinc and Aluminum Recycling
The recycling value of zinc and aluminum scrap begins with precise identification and strict diversion. Among
the mixed waste, cast aluminum alloy door and window frames with silver luster, deformed aluminum alloy cans
with good toughness, and sturdy automobile wheels are very different from zinc alloy parts (e.g., sanitary hardware
and small hardware), which are often plated on their surfaces. The professional recycling system distinguishes
different grades and forms of zinc and aluminum scrap through manual sorting, spectral analysis and even advanced
AI recognition technology, laying the foundation for subsequent efficient melting.
In the modern recycling smelter, the sorted clean zinc and aluminum scrap each embarks on the road to rebirth.
Aluminum scrap is crushed, de-painted and decontaminated before being fed into large-scale melting furnaces.
Advanced debris removal technology (such as rotary degassing, melt refining) effectively removes impurities such
as magnesium and iron, and the molten aluminum liquid is adjusted for composition and cast into new ingots
that meet the standards. Zinc scrap (e.g. zinc alloy die castings, hot-dip galvanized steel) undergoes special
treatment to remove surface coatings or iron bases, and is then melted and purified. In the end, the quality of
“recycled aluminum” and “recycled zinc” is comparable to that of virgin metal, which flows back into a wide range
of markets such as automotive manufacturing, construction profiles, packaging, hardware, and so on, thus
realizing a perfect closed loop of resources.
Greenness and efficiency: the double concerto of zinc and aluminum
recycling
The environmental contribution of zinc and aluminum recycling is immeasurable. Compared with primary
metal production, recycled aluminum can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% and save huge
amounts of water resources; while zinc recycling significantly reduces the ecological damage caused by
mining activities and effectively curbs the risk of zinc's potential pollution in the environment. The utilization
of tens of millions of tons of recycled zinc and aluminum every year around the world is a practical action
to combat climate change and protect green water and mountains.
The economic benefits are equally dazzling. High-quality, clearly sorted zinc and aluminum scrap is highly
sought after on the market and continues to increase in value. An efficient recycling network connects a
huge industrial chain from community recycling points, individual recyclers to professional sorting and
processing enterprises, creating countless jobs and considerable economic value. With its excellent
performance and cost advantages, recycled zinc and aluminum has become an important choice for
downstream manufacturing, especially for the automotive, aviation and packaging industries in pursuit
of lightweighting and sustainable development.
Guidelines for Action: Recycling Zinc and Aluminum Resources
Fine classification at source is key:
Households: Separate aluminum cans, food packaging boxes, old aluminum pots and pans, aluminum alloy
door and window frames from galvanized tin buckets and discarded zinc alloy faucets/door handles. Pay
special attention to the fact that used dry batteries containing zinc need to be recycled separately (there
are usually dedicated recycling points).
Enterprises/factories: Establish a comprehensive collection system for zinc-containing and
aluminum-containing trimmings, scraps, and end-of-life parts to avoid mixing and lowering their value.
Choose a reliable green channel: Be sure to work with a legitimate recycler with legal qualifications and
environmental protection capabilities to ensure that the waste goes to a compliant recycling company
and to eliminate the environmental hazards associated with illegal dismantling.
Enhance the value of knowledge: Take the initiative to understand the basic classification of zinc and
aluminum waste, local recycling policies and market conditions, to enhance the efficiency of resource
utilization and their own income.
Zinc and aluminum, the cornerstones of modern industry, are by no means disposable. They are
“urban treasures” sleeping around us. Every time we properly classify and recycle waste zinc and
aluminum, and every time we give preference to recycled zinc and aluminum products, we are
treasuring the earth's limited resources and making a firm commitment to a green, low-carbon
and sustainable future.
Promoting a circular economy begins with the precise recycling of a single piece of zinc and
aluminum scrap. Every classification and every delivery is giving new life to this pair of “twin metals”,
so that they will continue to shine in the cycle and jointly support our lighter, greener and more
resilient world of the future.