Aluminium and the Environment – the Facts
Aluminium is completely recyclable and unlike many other recycled materials, recycled aluminium retains all the properties of the original metal. Recycling scrap aluminium takes only 5% of the energy that was required to produce the original metal. This adds to the scrap value and thus makes it more beneficial to recover scrap.
- 95% of aluminium used in transport applications is recycled
- In the construction sector over 85% of aluminium is recovered – (95% of the aluminium in the old Wembley Stadium has been recycled) In the production, manufacturing and processing of aluminium, all production scrap can be recovered and recycled without degradation
- In primary aluminium production, 60% of the energy used is generated from renewable sources – hydro and thermal energy schemes
- Over all applications and uses, 73% of “old” aluminium is recycled
- Aluminium is the most common metal and the 3rd most common element, comprising 8% of the earth’s crust
- The aluminium industry worldwide has encouraged land restoration schemes to minimise the environmental impact of bauxite extraction
With its low-cost recyclability, high rate of scrap recovery and relative abundance of its ore, aluminium is a highly economically and environmentally sustainable material.
Policy statement
It is the policy of ABL Components Ltd to recognise and measure the potential environmental impact of our business. Further to this, we manage our activities to control and reduce environmental impact whilst continuing to meet the commercial requirements of our customers.