The Life Cycle of Aluminum Cans - Assignment Example

13 Apr. Video illustration: The story is regarding the life cycle of aluminum cans. The main objective of the story is to illustrate how development can be made sustainable along with protecting the environment. The story starts over with a dented aluminum can like most cans become after they have been used. Consumers punch the cans and they lose their cylindrical shape, yet this does not render them unworthy of reuse. They can be reshaped and pasteurized and reused many times. This way, the products’ life cycle changes into a closed loop system from the conventional linear pattern.

In the linear pattern, things are made from natural materials, and they are treated with various chemicals. They are processed in factories and sold to the consumers in markets. After they have been used, the products with toxic chemicals end up into landfills thus destroying the environment. In the closed loop, the products are reused rather than wasted and the circle continues to go on. The story refers to various closed loop systems that exist in nature to signify that this is the law of nature, and thus, we should follow it.

The video shows extraction of aluminum from its ore and pouring of molten aluminum into moulds. The temperature of the moulds is shown to be lowered with the use of cold water. The cold metal is shown to harden. The metal is shown passing through machines to give the cans their cylindrical shape and holes in the top. In the packaging phase, logos of brands are printed on the aluminum. The story ends by telling that aluminum cans are collected and recycled within 60 days of their use. Works Cited: Digital Storytelling - Product Lifecycle: An Aluminum Can.

Youtube, 2011. Film.