Material Guide
Recycled Aluminium
Durable, lightweight and made using recovered aluminium.
Durable, lightweight and made using recovered aluminium, recycled aluminium offers a way to reduce reliance on newly extracted raw material while retaining the practical qualities of aluminium.
What is recycled aluminium?
Recycled aluminium is aluminium produced using material recovered from previously manufactured products or manufacturing waste. The recovered metal is collected, sorted, processed and remelted so it can be used again in new products.
Aluminium can be recycled repeatedly, making recovered aluminium a valuable secondary raw material for new manufacturing.
From recovered aluminium to new products
- 1
Collected
Aluminium from manufacturing waste or previously used products is recovered.
- 2
Sorted & processed
The material is separated and prepared for recycling.
- 3
Remelted
Recovered aluminium is melted for reuse.
- 4
Remade
The recycled material is formed into new aluminium products and components.
Recycled aluminium in promotional merchandise
Recycled aluminium is increasingly used across promotional merchandise where a lightweight, durable metal is required.
Drinkware
Used in selected bottles, cups, tumblers and other drinkware where a lightweight metal is desirable.
Pens & writing instruments
Recycled aluminium can be used in pen bodies, barrels and other writing components.
Technology accessories
Appears in selected phone stands, hubs, chargers and other tech accessories.
Keyrings & everyday merchandise
Used for keyrings, small tools and other compact promotional items.
Why choose recycled aluminium?
Uses recovered material. Reintroduces existing aluminium into manufacturing rather than relying solely on virgin material.
Highly recyclable. Aluminium can be recycled repeatedly when suitable collection and recycling systems are available.
Durable. Recycled aluminium retains the strength and practical performance that make aluminium suitable for long-lasting products.
Lightweight. Aluminium's relatively low weight makes it useful across drinkware, writing instruments, technology accessories and other promotional merchandise.
Not all aluminium is recycled aluminium
A product being made from aluminium does not automatically mean it is made from recycled aluminium.
Ecosource distinguishes between Aluminium and Recycled Aluminium. Products should only be presented as recycled aluminium where that claim is supported by the product information available to us.
Recycled-content percentages can also differ between products. Where a percentage is provided, refer to the individual product page for the applicable product information.
Look for the evidence: “Aluminium” describes the material. “Recycled Aluminium” tells you that recovered aluminium has been used in its manufacture.
Supplier documentation
Recycled aluminium claims should be supported by supplier documentation or material information specific to the product.
Where a supplier provides a verified recycled-content percentage, Ecosource may display that information against the individual product.
Claims should only be made where the available product information supports them.
What about carbon impact?
Material choice is only one part of a product's overall carbon footprint.
Manufacturing, product weight, packaging, decoration, quantity, transport and final destination can all influence the footprint of a finished order.
Where supplier-provided product carbon information is available, Ecosource displays it separately on the relevant product.
Understanding the claim
We believe sustainability claims should be clear and specific. A recycled aluminium claim refers to the use of recycled aluminium in the product; it does not mean that every component of the finished product is recycled.
Avoid assuming that:
- the entire product is made from recycled aluminium;
- a product described as aluminium is the same as recycled aluminium;
- all aluminium products contain the same recycled-content percentage;
- recycled aluminium means every component of the finished product is recycled; or
- the use of recycled aluminium alone determines the overall environmental impact of the finished product.
Where Ecosource provides a recycled-content percentage, it should reflect the supplier-supported information available for that product. Other components, coatings, lids, seals, electronics, packaging and accessories may be made from different materials.
Explore Recycled Aluminium products
Discover promotional products in our range made using recycled aluminium.