"When you drink a soda, do you ever think about what happens to the can?" Director Sandy Lee opened the interview with this question. For most people, it’s just trash. But for Novelis, the world’s largest aluminum recycler, that small can is part of something much bigger.

Novelis operates on four continents and in nine countries, including South Korea. The company produces flat-rolled aluminum used in cars, airplanes, electronics, and beverage cans. Director Lee explained why aluminum is such a critical material for the planet.

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, meaning it can be melted down and reused repeatedly without losing quality. According to industry data, 75 percent of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today. Recycling also saves a significant amount of energy: it requires only five percent of the energy needed to produce new aluminum, resulting in a 95 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

“Recycling aluminum is one of the smartest ways to fight climate change,” Lee emphasized. “It helps industries decarbonize and keeps resources in use.”

Aluminum cans are often described as the superheroes of packaging. A can recycled today could return to store shelves within just 60 days, faster than plastic, glass, or paper packaging. Novelis alone recycles more than 84 billion cans each year, with nearly 18 billion processed at its Yeongju facility in South Korea.

“Every can has a story,” Lee said. “When you recycle, you’re part of a cycle that protects the planet.”

Although Novelis is based in the United States, its impact is global. From Brazil to Switzerland and South Korea, the company is driving efforts for a cleaner future. In particular, the Yeongju recycling center highlights how global action can begin with local initiatives.

Sustainability, Lee noted, is not only about corporations or governments but also about individual choices. Even something as simple as recycling a single can contributes to meaningful change. The message underscores the importance of responsibility, vision, and the ability to think globally while acting locally.

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