When aluminium was first mass produced, its light weight, strength and flexibility meant it was seen as a space age material that would change the world. Now we have a chance to put it back on that pedestal, this time because of its infinite recyclability.

Historically, its production required huge amounts of energy, but a combination of new technologies being used during the smelting process, the shift towards renewable energy sources and the ability to use increasingly high amounts of recycled aluminium means that these objections are rapidly weakening. Brazil already sees aluminium can recycling rates above 97%. If the rest of the world could catch up, it would be a huge step towards true circularity.