Aluminium Recycling, Energy Conservation and Environmental Concerns: A Review

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Aluminium Recycling, Energy Conservation and Environmental Concerns: A Review

Alaekwe, I. O

Department of Chemistry, Federal University Gusau Zamfara State. P.M.B 1001, Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract:-Aluminium has more uses and applications than any other metal. This implies that there should be a continuous production of this metal so as to meet the increasing demand. Manufacture of aluminium is one that consumes a significant amount of energy. Studies have shown that less amount of energy is required to recycle existing aluminium items. More than a hundred billion aluminium cans and other aluminium based products are sold in the United States each year. A similar number of aluminium cans in other countries are incinerated or sent to unauthorized landfills or dumpsites or littered all over as a result of poor waste management and absence of refuse disposal laws while less than half are recycled. However, the aluminium industry emits millions of tons of greenhouse gases such as carbon (IV) oxide which contributes to global warming annually. It is against this background that the paper reviewing the recycling of aluminium, conservation of energy and environmental concerns is drawn. The extraction of aluminium, environmental impact, aluminium recycling, energy conservation and the future of aluminium will be fully discussed.

Keywords: Aluminium, Extraction, Recycling, Conservation,

I. INTRODUCTION

Aluminium has emerged as the most environmentally sustainable substance available to planet earth. Its strength, conductivity, ability to be recycled and lightweight makes it preferably suited to the demands of a highly mobile and technologically advanced world. It offers customers a clear advantage through its ability to be repeatedly recycled without loss of quality and with only five per cent of the original process energy use and emissions. The demand for aluminium products is growing steadily because of their positive contribution to modern living. Aluminium finds extensive use in air, road and sea transport; food and medicine; packaging; construction; electronics and electrical power transmission (Salman, 2018)

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