When people think about sustainable and green materials, not many of us think about metal. This material is often associated with the production of big buildings and machinery that usually have quite a negative impact on health and nature. However, if we go into it deeper, we can see that many metals are natural and recyclable which makes them pretty green. Aluminum is usually at the top of the green metal list because it’s actually very environmentally friendly. Instead of producing aluminum from raw materials, it can easily be recycled which saves 95% of the energy needs. Just this data shows that aluminum can play an important role in saving the environment. How else can aluminum ensure we all see a green and safe future?
Aluminum and Construction
Just after steel, this is the second most popular metal in the world, mainly due to its versatility, lightweight and recycling properties, all of which are very important for the construction industry. According to research, a huge percentage of all building materials used for construction (about 85% to be more exact) are made with aluminum. This material is also used in 2/3 of all residential buildings, so not only the commercial buildings can benefit from aluminum. It can help architects and builders create sustainable and environmentally-friendly buildings.
This material is also very flexible, so architects can apply it in many creative ways knowing that their designs will be safe, robust and easy to recycle in the future if there’s a need for demolition.
Durability
With some modifications, aluminum can be turned into one of the most durable metals. Materials like aluminum alloys can be used for many things, especially in processes that require strength and durability. For instance, high strength aluminum is usually used for the production of planes and vehicles, as well as the building of tall skyscrapers. Once elements like silicon, magnesium and lithium are added to the pure aluminum, its strength can be fortified and we can get a metal that’s as strong as steel, maybe even stronger.
Versatility
This metal is a highly malleable one, only second after gold which is very soft. Due to these properties, it can be hammered into any shape and rolled into thin sheets without breaking. This means that this metal is suitable for the production of many products and designs from buildings and window frames to jewelry and consumer packaging. Today, people can even find practical minimalist wallets made out of aluminum, products that were once made with fabrics and leader only. These new types of wallets are more durable, yet as lightweight as ever. Plus, they can be secured with wireless theft protection thanks to RFID blocking.
Transport
Aluminum is a very light metal. The density of this material ranges from 2.6 to 2.8 grams per cm3, which is approximately three times less dense than steel. This metal has a lower atomic weight than wither metals which results in low density and weight. This means that it can be easily transported and shaped, so there’s no need for transport pollution.
Aluminum and Recycling
Probably the biggest advantage of this material is its ability to be recycled 100%. The process of recycling post-consumer aluminum can save over 90 million tons of CO2 and over 100,000 GWh of electricity. This amount of savings is equal to the annual power consumption of countries like the Netherlands! When it comes to aluminum, it’s not actually consumed during its lifetime, but just used, which gives us a chance to recycle it and keep all its inherent properties. Thus, aluminum doesn’t follow the traditional ‘cradle-to-grave’route, but it can be recycled over and over again.
According to research, the collection of aluminum in the building industry can vary between 92 and 98%, which shows just how much aluminum is important for sustainable construction. For example, when the old Wembley Stadium was demolished, the crew managed to recover 96% of all aluminum building materials. The rest 4% went to handles, hinges and similar smaller items that were made with other metals. In the future, we might be able to recycle these other materials as well, but for now, this one is our best chance of sustainability.
Aluminum has benefits that no other material has—it’s strong, resilient to corrosion, can be warped and flexed, is thermally efficient, and most of all, environmentally green. If we keep relying on this metal and material similar to it, we can still save this aching planet.