Aluminium VERSE Recycled Plastic

Aluminium VERSE Recycled Plastic which material is better to use?

Aluminum doesn’t break up into harmful microparticles as plastic does. However, plastic recycling requires less energy due to the lower temperatures involved in melting the raw material. Though, plastic cannot be endlessly recycled. Currently, 98% of all aluminum is recycled which is incredible! Compared to just 9% of plastic.

Recycling – Aluminium VERSE Recycled Plastic

“Infinitely recyclable”, said many aluminum manufacturers around the world, and is used in a variety of applications. So if aluminum is so good, why is not used everywhere? On word – cost. For the raw material, it is 25-30% more to produce than plastic making it only popular for particular applications where costs can be covered.

Known as green metal, aluminum is one of the most environmentally friendly metals because of its sustainability. As the most recyclable industrial material, aluminum can be recycled infinitely to produce the same product. Recycling aluminum also saves 95% of the energy used in its production from raw materials. Which is just incredible.

Weaknesses

Though if we move away from just recycling and look at it in building applications, it does have a couple of weaknesses. Its first is that it can be home to bacteria which can pose a health risk. Though cleaning can easily remove this concern.

Unlike plastic, it will rust/corrode as well as chip which for some applications can be detrimental to the finished product.

A large amount of pollution is produced in the alumina production and the aluminum electrolysis units, which in the best case, for the production of one ton of final aluminum, Emit 1.07, 4.73, and 1.32 kg of particulate pollutants, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide respectively.

Strengths

Aluminium, as opposed to plastic or any other metal or its toxic components, is non-toxic by nature and thus hazardless for users, as well as the environment.

Beverage cans are the perfect example of a circular packaging solution as they can be recycled infinitely without any loss of quality. The reason they are the best alternative to curtail the use of plastic is that they have a much lower carbon footprint as compared to other packaging formats.

When to use aluminum

1. Power lines
2. High-rise buildings
3. Window frames
4. Consumer electronics
5. Household and industrial appliances

When to use recycled plastic

1. Tables
2. Chairs
3. Benchtops
4. Cupboards
5. Bookshelves

It is best to choose your material on an application. As you can see both glass and recycled plastic have their pros and cons and should be used in conjunction with each other.

Aluminum has some great positives and together we can make a change.

Chat to us about your next project.