Dive Brief:

• Kaiser Aluminum Corp. and Boeing Co. have announced the formation of a scrap aluminum recycling program.
• The program, touted as the largest of its kind to date, anticipates salvaging 22 million pounds of copper and zinc aluminum alloys within a two year timespan. 
• The materials collected to be recycled will be waste from multiple Boeing facilities that manufacture commercial aircrafts. The scrap will be melted at a Kaiser facility, then re-used for aerospace sheet and plate metal.

Dive Insight:

Both companies view the program as a means toward waste reduction, with each industry seeking ways to save time, cut expenses, and reuse materials. Boeing has previously partnered with companies in order to reduce waste, and is even working to establish a method to convert cooking oil into biofuel, with its long-term sights set on closed-loop manufacturing. 

According to a press release, John Byrne, vice-president of Boeing Aircraft Materials and Structures said, "Boeing is focused on reducing the environmental footprint of commercials aviation through the aircraft's lifecycle, which includes working with suppliers to increase materials' recyclability and reduce manufacturing waste."