Why do we recycle aluminum? Is it because its cheaper than actually mining?

Answer 1

If you consider taking bauxite (the ore that aluminum is in) and refine it down you have a costly process of melting and refining. Remelting aluminum cans takes much less energy and is eco friendly as well

Answer 2

Refining bauxite into aluminum requires a lot of electricity. Recycling aluminum basically just involves melting it down and re-casting it. This is WAY cheaper, especially these days, with the cost of energy being what it is.

Answer 3

^ Wrong. Aluminum is way cheaper to recycle. Paper is way more expensive. There are many paper mills that replant their stock of trees, after all, it is their business, and if you think of trees as long-growing crops, it is like a farm.

On the other side, paper is actually expensive to recycle because harmful chemicals and bleaches must be added to the pulp, a mix of new pulp, the energy it takes to drive trucks around to collect the recycleable paper in the first place and then shred it and treat it. It's cheaper to make new paper from clean pulp then to treat it.

Answer 4

Actually, recycling aluminum costs more than producing it. The only thing that is cheaper to recycle than to produce is paper. And we don't recycle to save resources because recycling uses as much energy and elements to create new products as it takes to make new things. People recycle because it makes them feel like they're contributing to the ecosystem and protecting the Earth. Despite popular opinion, all ecosystems are constantly gradually deteriorating and human interference can do nothing about it. People just like believing that they are superior to animals and more powerful than nature itself.

Answer 5

It's cheaper to re-melt than to process mining. The environment suffers with strip mining. Not to mention the hazardous chemicals that show up in our drinking water. The cost of natural resources to refine it. What else? Air quality!

Answer 6

yes