Aluminum and Steel Recycling: Lesson 16

Aluminum and Steel Recycling

Objectives

Students will be able to identify aluminum and steel cans.

Students will know how to recycle cans in Nevada.

Students will know the history of cans.

Students will be able to calculate aluminum conservation efforts.

Standards

E.12.C.4 Students know processes of obtaining, using, and recycling of renewable and nonrenewable sources. E/S

N.12.B.4 Students know scientific knowledge builds on previous information. E/S

Vocabulary Recycling rate: according to the EPA the

formula for determining the recycling rate = (MSW recycled / MSW generated) * 100

Magnet: according to Merriam-Webster a magnet is a body having the property of attracting iron and producing a magnetic field external to itself; specifically : a mass of iron, steel, or alloy that has this property artificially imparted.

Alloy: a mixture of metals.

Independent Reading

“The History of Can Making”

Questions to follow

Aluminum vs. Tin

Aluminum vs. Tin

Aluminum– What are some qualities of aluminum?

Tin– What are some qualities of tin?

Aluminum vs. Tin Aluminum

– Not magnetic– Bottom does not

have rim– Brushed, polished

appearance– Body is shiny,

silver, and smooth– No seams on body

Tin– Magnetic– Bottom has rim– Shiny, silver

appearance– Body has rings or

ribbing– Always has seam

on body

Aluminum vs. Tin

Aluminum– Label usually sprayed on– Lighter in weight– Curbside pickup– Transfer station drop off

Tin– Label is usually paper, glued on– Heavier in weight– Curbside pickup– Transfer station drop off

The History of Cans Describe what the French Directoire did in

1795. Explain what Nicholas Appert did. What did Peter Durand do? What did Thomas Kensett do? Summarize what sped up the canning

production. Compare the pre-war and postwar canning

output. Identify when new methods of production

of cans increase to about 250 per minute.

The History of Cans

When were beverage cans made from aluminum introduced?

When did the recycling of aluminum cans become popular? Why?

Identify how much recycled aluminum goes into a recycled can.

The History of Cans

In 1995, the amount of energy saved by using recycled cans equated to?

Calculate about how many soft drink cans do you and your family use each week.

Describe what do you do with the cans when you are finished with them.

Do you think one person’s actions can help the environment? Summarize your thoughts.

Equivalents 1 aluminum can = the energy of 1 cup of

gas

16 cups of gas =1 gallon

1 gallon of gas = 5 miles of distance traveled by a car (depending on type of car)

32 aluminum cans = 1 pound

1 pound of cans = $.25 (estimate depending on market)

Calculations If each student in the class uses one aluminum

can per day, how many cups of gas would this class use each week?

How many cups of gas would this class use in a year?

How many gallons of gas would this class use in a year?

How many pounds does 3,200 aluminum cans weigh?

How many cans would it take to get $1.00? What is the difference between aluminum and

tin? Where can I recycle aluminum/ tin in Nevada?

Additional Links The ABCs of Environmental Education; “The Hisotry of Can

Making”– http://www.cancentral.com/canc/abc.htm

“HowStuffWorks Show: Episode 6 Recycling Aluminum”– http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/35483-howst

uffworks-show-episode-6-recycling-aluminum-video.htm “HowStuffWorks Show: Episode 6 Mining for Aluminum”

– http://videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/35493-howstuffworks-show-episode-6-mining-for-aluminum-video.htm

“Recycling a Can- Can Change the World”– http://www.5min.com/Video/Recycling-A-Can----Can-Chan

ge-The-World-84372074