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The environmental impact of producing aluminum is probably higher than plastic unless that aluminum gets recycled after you're done with it.
by shkkmo 5y ago
The environmental impact of producing aluminum is probably higher than plastic unless that aluminum gets recycled after you're done with it.
- LeifCarrotson 5y agoEnergetically, yes, producing aluminum metal from bauxite/aluminum oxide is very difficult, requiring tons of heat. If this energy is sourced from coal power plants, it does emit something like 12 kg CO2 per kg aluminum. However, there's no reason that the electricity has to come from fossil fuels. Aluminum refineries are an incredibly useful base load, able to turn up the heaters when energy is available and inexpensive, but to reduce the load when energy is less available and more expensive. This is highly compatible with renewable energy sources, providing a useful sink for excess capacity. Aluminum production can and will continue well after fossil fuel energy sources are phased out, at which point it will have a lower environmental impact. Also, aluminum is extremely easy and cost-effective to recycle.
- shkkmo 5y agoIt is quite true that Aluminum could (and hopefully one day will) be more environmentally friendly that plastic. If more than 1/3 of the aluminum we produce in the US came from recycling and/or the majority of energy used in primary aluminum production came from renewable sources, then aluminum would be a big win. Unfortunately, I don't think we are there yet.
- ClumsyPilot 5y agoAluminium is the second most recycled material on the planet, after asphalt, if I remember correctly. Unlike plastics, metals are recycleable wirh 100% efffectiveness, the later product is not lesser or worse quality.
- joshuajill 5y agoThey have a certification for the aluminium sourcing.