The aluminum can recycling rate climbed to 57.4 percent in 2009, according to a report issued by the Aluminum Association, the Can Manufacturers Institute and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries. In 2008, the recycling rate for the cans was 54.2 percent.

Last year, approximately 55.5 billion aluminum cans were recycled, up from about 53.2 billion in 2008, the trade groups say.

“The scrap recycling industry continues to play a vital role in maintaining a steady supply of aluminum for America’s manufacturing economy while also being a strong environmental steward,” said Robin Wiener, president of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, in a press release. “In 2009, over 4.6 million metric tons of aluminum was processed by the U.S. scrap industry saving the energy equivalent of 1.3 billion gallons of gasoline. The data shows that aluminum cans continue to be a valuable recyclable commodity.”