At Aelith Equipment, we are dedicated to creating climbing tools and gear that last, without costing the planet. That’s why we proudly use aluminum, a material that’s not only lightweight and durable, but also infinitely recyclable.
The Aluminum Advantage
Unlike materials that degrade with each reuse, like plastic, aluminum can be recycled over and over again without losing its original strength or quality. Because aluminum is made of atoms locked in a crystal structure, it’s easier to melt and reform without altering its basic properties.
- Downcycling: When materials lose quality through recycling (like paper and plastic), and can’t be reused indefinitely.
- Upcycling: Repurposing an item without breaking it down—creative, but not always scalable.
Infinitely recyclable:
Materials like aluminum that retain their original quality, no matter how many times they’re recycled into new products.
Infinitely recyclable materials help close the loop, supporting a true circular economy that minimizes waste, conserves raw resources, keeps valuable materials in use forever, and our planet a little cleaner.
According to Aluminum.org,
- Around 75% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
- Recycled aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to produce new aluminum from raw bauxite.
- More than 80% of aluminum produced in the U.S. comes from recycled material.
- If the U.S. recycled all aluminum beverage cans, we could save over $1 billion annually in energy and resources.
- Industry recycling efforts in the U.S. save more than 90 million barrels of oil equivalent each year.
The Aluminum Recycling Process
The aluminum recycling process involves collecting scrap aluminum, sorting it, shredding it, removing contaminants, melting it, and then casting it into new products. This is a closed-loop process, meaning the recycled aluminum can be used to make new products without degrading its quality
Aluminum recycling is a streamlined and energy-efficient system made up of four main phases:
- Collection: Aluminum products—from cans to car parts—are gathered and sent to recycling centers.
- Sorting and Cleaning: Materials are sorted by alloy and thoroughly cleaned to remove contaminants.
- Melting: The cleaned aluminum is melted using just 5% of the energy required to create virgin aluminum.
- Reforming: The molten aluminum is cast into new ingots or shapes, ready for use in manufacturing—possibly even your next hangboard.
Aluminum Products You Can Recycle
- Beverage cans (soda, beer, energy drinks)
- Food cans (soup, pet food, vegetables)
- Foil, foil trays and pie tins
- Baking sheets and trays
- Window and door frames
- Aluminum pipes and tubing
- Scrap aluminum parts from machining/CNC operations
- Bicycle and scooter frames
- Engine components
- Car rims and body panels
Aluminum Outdoor, Climbing and Recreation Gear
- Carabiners
- Tent poles
- Camp cookware
- Hiking poles
- Pitons and cams
- Bike parts
- …and even our gear
Why It Matters for Aelith Equipment and You
By choosing aluminum, Aelith Equipment is commited to reducing our environmental footprint, supporting a stronger, more circular U.S. economy, and promoting long-lasting, high-performance outdoor and climbing gear
Every Cyclops portable hangboard we design is made from USA-machined aluminum, contributing to a cleaner future without compromising performance.
When you support Aelith Equipment, you’re supporting lower emissions, less landfill waste, smarter use of resources, and a more sustainable economy. It’s time to rethink what sustainability in climbing gear looks like.