ALUMINUMALUMINUM

Aluminum is the third most Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s abundant element in the Earth’s crustcrust

Aluminum is used for Aluminum is used for many purposes because many purposes because it is:it is: LightLight StrongStrong FlexibleFlexible Resistant to corrosionResistant to corrosion A good thermal and electrical A good thermal and electrical

conductorconductor

From airplanes to beverage containers and food From airplanes to beverage containers and food wrap, aluminum products are everywhere. The wrap, aluminum products are everywhere. The good news is, aluminum is 100% recyclable!good news is, aluminum is 100% recyclable!

Aluminum is found in the Aluminum is found in the Earth’s crust in an ore called Earth’s crust in an ore called

bauxitebauxite

This is a cross section of the Earth’s This is a cross section of the Earth’s crust where Bauxite is abundant:crust where Bauxite is abundant:

To make 1 ton of To make 1 ton of aluminum(2000 lbs.) you need:aluminum(2000 lbs.) you need:

► 8,766 lbs. of bauxite8,766 lbs. of bauxite► 1,020 lbs. of 1,020 lbs. of

petroleum coke (a petroleum coke (a solid product solid product derived from coal) derived from coal) for fuelfor fuel

► 966 lbs. of soda ash 966 lbs. of soda ash (sodium carbonate)(sodium carbonate)

► 327 lbs. of pitch (a 327 lbs. of pitch (a coal-based resin)coal-based resin)

If aluminum is so common in the If aluminum is so common in the Earth’s crust, why is it important Earth’s crust, why is it important

to recycle it?to recycle it?

Lots of reasons!Lots of reasons!

By-products of mining and By-products of mining and refining bauxite include:refining bauxite include:

Large amounts of solid wasteLarge amounts of solid waste

Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste

High Energy ConsumptionHigh Energy Consumption

Water and Air PollutionWater and Air Pollution

Fortunately, Fortunately, RECYCLINGRECYCLING aluminum is aluminum is very efficientvery efficient and is a much healthier and is a much healthier process for the environmentprocess for the environment

95% of the energy required to 95% of the energy required to produce a new aluminum can produce a new aluminum can from raw materials is saved from raw materials is saved through recycling.through recycling.

95% of air pollution is 95% of air pollution is eliminated.eliminated.

95% of water consumption is 95% of water consumption is reduced.reduced.

Because aluminum is 100% Because aluminum is 100% recyclable, 0% goes to landfill.recyclable, 0% goes to landfill.

An aluminum can may be An aluminum can may be recycled back into a new can recycled back into a new can in as little as six weeks!in as little as six weeks!

Follow Up QuizFollow Up Quiz

Aluminum comes from an ore called:Aluminum comes from an ore called:

A) CrustA) Crust B) KryptoniteB) Kryptonite C) BoxingC) Boxing D) IronD) Iron E) Bauxite E) Bauxite

Aluminum is used for many Aluminum is used for many purposes because it is:purposes because it is:

• A) Light, strong, and flexible

• B) Resistant to corrosion

• C) A good thermal and electrical conductor

• D) A & B

• E) All of the above

The process of producing aluminum The process of producing aluminum from raw materials creates:from raw materials creates:

A) A fragrant, perfume-like aromaA) A fragrant, perfume-like aromaB) Large amounts of solid waste, water B) Large amounts of solid waste, water

and air pollutionand air pollutionC) Beautiful, undisturbed landscapesC) Beautiful, undisturbed landscapesD) Hazardous wasteD) Hazardous wasteE) B & DE) B & D

An aluminum can may be recycled back into a new can in as little as:

• A) 2 weeks• B) 6 weeks• C) 9.5 weeks• D) 2 months• E) All of the above

Recycling aluminum, as opposed to Recycling aluminum, as opposed to making it from making it from

scratch, reduces what % of necessary scratch, reduces what % of necessary raw materials, air pollution, and water raw materials, air pollution, and water

consumption?consumption?

A) 75%A) 75% B) 80%B) 80% C) 42%C) 42% D) 95%!D) 95%!

Any questions?Any questions?

Remember: when sorting aluminum foil Remember: when sorting aluminum foil or trays, always get off as much food or trays, always get off as much food waste as possible waste as possible

If not sure about whether it’s aluminum or If not sure about whether it’s aluminum or scrap metal, squeeze it! If it bends, it’s scrap metal, squeeze it! If it bends, it’s aluminum! (Exceptions: Sapporo cans, aluminum! (Exceptions: Sapporo cans, Venom bottles)Venom bottles)