Why Is it Important to Recycle Aluminum?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2008, around 48 percent of all the aluminum cans created were recycled, and 38 percent of aluminum containers and packaging were recycled. Aluminum cans make up a large part of consumer waste. Recycling aluminum is important for the future of the environment.
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Reduces Energy Consumption
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It takes far less energy to recycle aluminum into a new product then to create an aluminum product from scratch. Manufacturing plants use bauxite ore to create aluminum. The manufacturing plants that create aluminum cans, packing materials, siding, or lawn furniture consume a large amount of electricity and fossil fuels to create their products originally. However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, it takes 92 percent less energy to create an aluminum can from recycled materials.
Reduces Landfills
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According to the Leigh County, Pennsylvania, Solid Waste Management Department, more then one million tons of aluminum cans and aluminum packaging materials go to the landfills each year. Unlike organic products such as produce, aluminum does not biodegrade easily. This means that the aluminum products will remain in the landfills for years to come, adding to our overall waste.
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Lowers Waste
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When aluminum products are made from scratch, some waste occurs at the manufacturing plant. When those aluminum products are thrown away, more waste occurs as they end up in landfills rather then being recycled into a new product. We reduce waste on both accounts by recycling aluminum.
Reduces Air Pollution
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Industrial and manufacturing plants cause air pollution. The machinery that makes manufactured goods run on fossil fuels; when the fossil fuels burn they release pollutants in to the air. These pollutants lower our overall air quality and lead to a rise in greenhouse gasses. According to the Leigh County, Pennsylvania, Solid Waste Management Department, making aluminum cans from recycled products causes 95 percent less air pollution then originating a new aluminum can.
Saves Money
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It is cheaper to make a new aluminum can from a recycled one then to create a new can from scratch. Repurposing the material from an aluminum can, packaging material, or lawn furniture saves those resources, and in turn, saves money. Recycling also creates new jobs and further boosts the economy.
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References
- Photo Credit golden aluminum drink cans piled image by photooiasson from Fotolia.com
