The main general lesson learned from the article “Improving Aluminum Can Recycling Rates: A Six Sigma Study in Kentucky” by Subodh K. Das and Margaret Hughes is related to the attained knowledge about the importance of aluminum recycling for the United States. Every day millions of aluminum beverage cans are used across the country. The recycling of such cans is of vital importance for the whole society. Recyclability is one of the most beneficial characteristics of aluminum, as this material does not lose its quality or energy even if it is recycled several times. The article presents several lessons related to specifics of the influence of aluminum recycling on the country.
First of all, recycling helps to save much energy, as it requires the usage of only five percent of the energy used for the extraction of material from virgin bauxites. Energy is one of the essential resources needed for the proper functioning of modern society. The case teaches that the potential for aluminum recycling in saving energy should not be underestimated and neglected.
Besides, recycling directly affects the economy of the country. If the proper process of recycling is not provided, the country needs to import the material from other countries due to the lack of natural resources. Therefore, a careless attitude to recycling forces the country to spend huge sums of money to import the material that can be easily reused. By informing the readers about this, the case teaches us to understand the significant role of aluminum recycling in benefiting the economy of the US.
Besides economic consequences, failing to recycle aluminum presents a serious environmental threat, as the exhaustion of natural resources and pollution of nature with non-recycled cans negatively affect the environment. Therefore, the case teaches us to appreciate the gifts of nature and protect it from pollution caused by the careless activity of humans.
Declining of Aluminum Recycling Rates and a National Effort to Increase It
Despite the abundance of information about the usefulness of aluminum recycling, its rates continue to fall. The current statistics show that less than half of aluminum cans are recycled while a vast amount of material is wasted. Though the recycling rates in transportation and construction are relatively high, ordinary consumers show little interest in being the promoters of the recycling process. Such a situation leads to a constant increase of investments in the aluminum industry, as most facilities relying on the use of the secondary source of the material (such as beverage cans) experience a severe lack of reused aluminum.
The information about the decline of aluminum recycling rates should encourage the nation to put much effort in changing the current situation. Appropriate analysis of the lack of initiative of consumers to recycle the used aluminum cans will help to identify the weak sides of the current system and suggest the necessary improvements. The discussed problems faced by the aluminum industry should promote the awareness of Americans about the essential role of recycling and encourage appropriate institutions to modify the current system so that it simplifies the participation of ordinary citizens in the recycling process. Improving the scheme of delivering and picking up the bins aimed at collecting recyclable waste is one of the potential steps able to raise aluminum recycling rates. Promoting the motivation of people to be the key to positive changes in aluminum recycling is another step that can help to overcome the current alarming situation. Together, citizens can cause the needed change and improve the lives of the whole society by being responsible and thoughtful while using aluminum cans.