The environmental impact of aluminium vs. plastic – explored

Aluminium and plastic are widely used for multiple applications across numerous sectors. But that’s where the similarities end, especially when it comes to the sustainability credentials of both of these materials.

Plastic’s impact on the planet

Plastic’s environmental impact has been widely documented for many years now, and is more wide-reaching than you may initially think…

• According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) first Global Plastics Outlook report, plastic pollution is relentlessly growing
• To add to this, twice as much plastic is reportedly being produced than two decades ago
• And it’s predicted there could be more plastic than fish in the sea (by weight).

Aluminium’s environmental footprint

Aluminium is a completely different entity with an entirely different composition to plastic. In fact, of all of the metals that are out there, it’s one of the most environmentally-friendly metals on the planet. It’s also:

1. Lightweight.

2. Strong.

3. Resistant to corrosion, warping and flexing.

All in all, aluminium is highly sustainable; so sustainable it’s widely referred to as the ‘green metal.’

How does plastic compare to aluminium?

As we all know, plastic is a widely-used material that exists in some shape or form sector-wide. Common uses include carrier bags, signs, cables, clothing, drinks bottles, car components and packaging – the list is endless.

While plastic may be one of the most widely-used materials on the planet, there’s no getting away from the fact that the short-term benefits are significantly overshadowed by its long-lasting impact on the environment.

Take the humble carrier bags you pack your shopping in every week, for instance. They may have been manufactured years ago and you can get plenty of use out of them, but when it comes to them decomposing, it can take years to happen; if it fully happens at all. And there are further environmental implications too…

It can take up to 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade in landfill

This concerning stat has been shared by the Center for Biological Diversity, who have also revealed that instead of degrading, plastic bags ‘photo-degrade’, which means they turn into tiny microplastics that absorb toxins and cause wider pollution.

And to add to all of this, only 9% of plastic is successfully recycled, as highlighted in the OECD’s Global Plastics Outlook report.

Aluminium is fully recyclable

Unlike plastic, aluminium can be recycled over-and-over again, meaning it has infinite properties. What’s more, it takes just 5% of the energy that’s used to make primary aluminium to recycle it.

Every single element of aluminium can be recycled, using up to 95% less energy than it takes to produce it from raw materials. Every time aluminium gets recycled, it generates increased carbon savings.

A case in point

As a zero-to-landfill site, we’ve refined our recycling processes so that our customers can reap the full benefits of 100% recycling their aluminium. One of these customers is Origin Global, a leading manufacturer of bespoke aluminium bi-folding doors and windows.

Thanks to our closed loop recycling process, we pass on 88% of the company’s thermal extrusion to remelting companies. We then send the remaining 12% for further recycling.

For more details, read the full case study, ‘How we helped Origin Global 100% improve their scrap recycling rates.’

Call us biased, but aluminium will always be a superior material in our eyes. Not only is it used sector, application and world-wide, it’s having a widespread impact with zero damage to the environment.