Aluminum Association Highlights Recycling as One of Key Policy Priorities for 2025

The Aluminum Association, a key trade group representing companies that produce approximately 70% of North America's aluminum and aluminum products, has released a policy document titled Aluminum for America: A Presidential Policy Brief. The brief outlines strategic priorities for the incoming administration and Congress, with a strong focus on improving domestic aluminum recycling efforts.

In a move to strengthen U.S. aluminum manufacturing and secure a critical metal supply, the association emphasizes the importance of expanding the collection of recyclable aluminum, particularly aluminum used beverage cans (UBCs). With an estimated $1 billion worth of UBCs sent to landfills annually, the Aluminum Association argues that this is a missed opportunity for recycling that could benefit both the economy and the environment.

Recycling as a Key Policy Priority

The Aluminum Association has named recycling as its second priority in the policy framework, urging federal policymakers to enhance recycling infrastructure and implement measures such as deposit-return systems and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. According to the document, expanding such systems would boost domestic recycling, help create manufacturing jobs, reduce energy consumption, and minimize the industry’s environmental impact.

The trade group points out that recycling aluminum is significantly more energy-efficient than producing new aluminum. In fact, using recycled aluminum reduces energy consumption by 95%, while recycled aluminum already accounts for more than 80% of the aluminum produced in the U.S.

A Growing and Expanding Industry

The Aluminum Association also highlighted the growing significance of the U.S. aluminum industry, citing a 2024 economic impact study that reveals the industry generates nearly $228 billion in economic impact and supports close to 700,000 jobs. Despite significant investments—over $10 billion in midstream and downstream processing and recycling capacity—the U.S. continues to face challenges with declining primary production.

Demand for aluminum has been growing in both the U.S. and Canada, driven by needs for sustainable packaging, safe vehicles, greener buildings, and critical infrastructure. The Aluminum Association sees this as a positive sign but stresses the need for decisive policy actions to fully realize the industry’s potential.

The Path Forward

“American aluminum is already growing and expanding with robust demand and investment, but we need decisive policy action to unlock its full potential,” said Charles Johnson, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association. “Policymakers across the spectrum recognize the vital importance that aluminum plays in a strong national economy and defense. Working together, America can win the future of aluminum production and recycling.”