Aluminium or plastic: Which is the greener choice? - It’s no brainer!
Contributed by: Team AlCircle
October 07, 2023
Sustainability and environmental impact have become paramount in our quest for a more eco-conscious future. As we all strive to make more responsible choices in our daily lives, one area of focus is the materials we use for various every-day as well as industrial applications. Aluminium and plastic are two of the most widely used materials, each with its own set of impacts in terms of sustainability and environmental impact.
We will delve into the sustainability aspects of aluminium and plastic, comparing their production processes, recyclability, and overall environmental footprint.
Production
The production of aluminium begins with the extraction of bauxite ore, primarily through mining. This initial step can have a notable environmental impact, including habitat disruption and soil erosion. However, advancements in sustainable mining practices, such as land rehabilitation and reduced water consumption, are helping mitigate these issues. The next process involves extracting the raw material from the earth and subjecting it to high-temperature electrolysis, which requires a large amount of electricity.
The good news is that the aluminium industry has made significant strides in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Modern smelting plants often use hydropower or renewable energy sources to power their operations, significantly lowering their carbon footprint. Additionally, the durability of aluminium products can extend their lifespan, ultimately offsetting some of the initial energy costs associated with production.
Plastic, on the other hand, is derived from petrochemicals, primarily crude oil and natural gas. The production of plastic involves the extraction and refinement of fossil fuels, which are non-renewable resources. The drilling, extraction, and transportation of these resources have a substantial environmental impact, including habitat disruption, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The plastic production process itself is also resource-intensive and polluting. It involves multiple chemical processes, some of which release harmful by-products. Despite efforts to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, the plastic industry remains one of the most environmentally damaging sectors. Furthermore, plastic production is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, making it susceptible to price fluctuations and supply chain vulnerabilities, all of which hamper long-term sustainability.
Recyclability
One of the standout features of aluminium is its high level of recyclability. It can be easily recycled indefinitely without losing its structural integrity or quality. Recycling aluminium requires only a fraction of the energy needed for primary production, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, recycling aluminium reduces the need for mining and refining, further reducing its environmental impact. Many regions have established effective aluminium recycling programs, leading to high recycling rates. Thus, while plastic makes up 19% of total waste, metals, including aluminium, are at a low 5%.
Meanwhile, plastic recycling, while possible, presents several challenges. Different types of plastics are often mixed together, making sorting and recycling much more complex. Additionally, plastic degrades with each recycling iteration, resulting in lower quality over time. This limits the number of times plastic can be effectively recycled, ultimately leading to more plastic waste. As a result, the recycling rates for plastic are generally much lower than those for aluminium. This has led to the massive accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and the environment, leading to a global plastic pollution crisis. In fact, it is estimated that our oceans now contain more plastic than fish by weight!
Overall Carbon Footprint
Aluminium's primary environmental concern is its energy-intensive production process. However, the durability and recyclability of aluminium products offset some of this impact. Furthermore, aluminium is non-toxic and does not release harmful chemicals when exposed to the environment. It also does not contribute to microplastic pollution, a growing concern in our oceans and food chain.
Plastic's environmental footprint is both multivector and pervasive. Beyond its energy-intensive production, plastic poses great risks to ecosystems and wildlife due to its persistence in the environment. Plastics can take hundreds of years to degrade, and during this time, they can harm marine life, disrupt the food chain, and leach harmful chemicals into the environment. Moreover, the microplastics created by the breakdown of larger plastic items have infiltrated water sources, posing health risks to both humans and wildlife.
To Wrap Up
In the battle for sustainability, aluminium easily emerges as the greener choice when compared to plastic, when considering their production processes, recyclability, and overall environmental impact. While the initial extraction of bauxite and the energy-intensive smelting process are challenges for aluminium, its durability, high recyclability, and lower long-term environmental footprint make it a much more sustainable material. To know more about the sustainability of aluminium and how the metal is progressing towards embracing sustainable ways of production,read our comprehensive report: “Sustainability in the Global Aluminium Industry”
Conversely, plastic, with its heavy reliance on non-renewable resources, energy-intensive production, recycling challenges, and persistence in the environment, lags behind in terms of sustainability. As we continue to move towards more sustainability and environmental responsibility, choosing aluminium over plastic whenever possible can help reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
