1. ALUMINUMALUMINUM

2. Aluminum is the third mostAluminum is the third most
abundant element in the Earth’sabundant element in the Earth’s
crustcrust

3. Aluminum is used for manyAluminum is used for many
purposes because it is:purposes because it is:
 LightLight
 StrongStrong
 FlexibleFlexible
 Resistant to corrosionResistant to corrosion
 A good thermal and electricalA good thermal and electrical
conductorconductor

4. From airplanes to beverage containers and foodFrom airplanes to beverage containers and food
wrap, aluminum products are everywhere. Thewrap, aluminum products are everywhere. The
good news is, aluminum is 100% recyclable!good news is, aluminum is 100% recyclable!

5. Aluminum is found in the Earth’sAluminum is found in the Earth’s
crust in an ore called bauxitecrust in an ore called bauxite

6. This is a cross section of theThis is a cross section of the
Earth’s crust where Bauxite isEarth’s crust where Bauxite is
abundant:abundant:

7. To make 1 ton of aluminum(2000To make 1 ton of aluminum(2000
lbs.) you need:lbs.) you need:
► 8,766 lbs. of bauxite8,766 lbs. of bauxite
► 1,020 lbs. of petroleum1,020 lbs. of petroleum
coke (a solid productcoke (a solid product
derived from coal) forderived from coal) for
fuelfuel
► 966 lbs. of soda ash966 lbs. of soda ash
(sodium carbonate)(sodium carbonate)
► 327 lbs. of pitch (a327 lbs. of pitch (a
coal-based resin)coal-based resin)

8. If aluminum is so common in theIf aluminum is so common in the
Earth’s crust, why is it importantEarth’s crust, why is it important
to recycle it?to recycle it?

9. Lots of reasons!Lots of reasons!
By-products of mining and refiningBy-products of mining and refining
bauxite include:bauxite include:

10. Large amounts of solid wasteLarge amounts of solid waste

11. Hazardous WasteHazardous Waste

12. High Energy ConsumptionHigh Energy Consumption

13. Water and Air PollutionWater and Air Pollution

14. Fortunately,Fortunately, RECYCLINGRECYCLING aluminum isaluminum is
very efficientvery efficient and is a muchand is a much
healthier process for thehealthier process for the
environmentenvironment
 95% of the energy required to95% of the energy required to
produce a new aluminum canproduce a new aluminum can
from raw materials is savedfrom raw materials is saved
through recycling.through recycling.
 95% of air pollution is95% of air pollution is
eliminated.eliminated.
 95% of water consumption is95% of water consumption is
reduced.reduced.
 Because aluminum is 100%Because aluminum is 100%
recyclable, 0% goes torecyclable, 0% goes to
landfill.landfill.
 An aluminum can may beAn aluminum can may be
recycled back into a new canrecycled back into a new can
in as little as six weeks!in as little as six weeks!

15. Follow Up QuizFollow Up Quiz

16. Aluminum comes from an ore called:Aluminum comes from an ore called:
 A) CrustA) Crust
 B) KryptoniteB) Kryptonite
 C) BoxingC) Boxing
 D) IronD) Iron
 E) BauxiteE) Bauxite

17. Aluminum is used for manyAluminum is used for many
purposes because it is:purposes because it is:
• A) Light, strong, and flexible
• B) Resistant to corrosion
• C) A good thermal and electrical
conductor
• D) A & B
• E) All of the above

18. The process of producing aluminumThe process of producing aluminum
from raw materials creates:from raw materials creates:
 A) A fragrant, perfume-like aromaA) A fragrant, perfume-like aroma
 B) Large amounts of solid waste, waterB) Large amounts of solid waste, water
and air pollutionand air pollution
 C) Beautiful, undisturbed landscapesC) Beautiful, undisturbed landscapes
 D) Hazardous wasteD) Hazardous waste
 E) B & DE) B & D

19. An aluminum can may be
recycled back into a new can in
as little as:
• A) 2 weeks
• B) 6 weeks
• C) 9.5 weeks
• D) 2 months
• E) All of the above

20. Recycling aluminum, as opposed to makingRecycling aluminum, as opposed to making
it fromit from
scratch, reduces what % of necessary rawscratch, reduces what % of necessary raw
materials, air pollution, and watermaterials, air pollution, and water
consumption?consumption?
 A) 75%A) 75%
 B) 80%B) 80%
 C) 42%C) 42%
 D) 95%!D) 95%!

21. Any questions?Any questions?
 Remember: when sorting aluminum foilRemember: when sorting aluminum foil
or trays, always get off as much foodor trays, always get off as much food
waste as possiblewaste as possible
 If not sure about whether it’s aluminum orIf not sure about whether it’s aluminum or
scrap metal, squeeze it! If it bends, it’sscrap metal, squeeze it! If it bends, it’s
aluminum! (Exceptions: Sapporo cans,aluminum! (Exceptions: Sapporo cans,
Venom bottles)Venom bottles)