Aluminum is the most valuable of all recyclable materials. Of all the aluminum produced in the United States, nearly 75 percent is still in use due to recycling. Recycling aluminum is over 90 percent more energy efficient than producing new aluminum. Over $800 million is spent on recycling aluminum cans every year. During World War II aluminum was in high demand for America's defense effort, and families were encouraged to save scraps of aluminum foil. Some movie theaters allowed people to exchange balls of aluminum foil for free entry. 1)