Aluminum Recycling

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Introduction:
Aluminum is an element in the boron group with a symbol of Al, and an atomic number of 13. Aluminum is a very soft metal when pure but becomes strong and hard when alloyed, a malleable metal with a silvery gray color. Aluminum is a very reactive element so it is found in nature combined with other elements. Aluminum resists corrosion by the formation of a self-protecting oxide coating. Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, following oxygen and silicon. It makes up approximately 8% by weight of the Earth’s surface. Although this is evident, it is also apparent that aluminum is never found by itself in nature. All of the earth’s aluminum has combined with other elements to form compounds and in order to create new aluminum products; it has to be taken out of that specific compound. Aluminum does not rust like other elements, therefore it always remains strong and shiny, which means reused aluminum is almost identical to a brand new piece of metal. An electrochemical process creates aluminum. An electrochemical process is “the direct process end use in which electricity is used to cause a chemical transformation” ( E.I.A. Government). Major uses of electrochemical processes occur in the aluminum industry in which alumina is reduced to molten aluminum metal and oxygen, where than the aluminum can be used into making several different materials. Electrochemical processes, although very useful, can have serious environmental consequences. To help reduce the consequences that the production of aluminum creates, the idea of aluminum recycling comes into play.
What is Aluminum Recycling?
Recycling aluminum is the process by which scrap/ used aluminum can be reused into new and differe...

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...ng process, the easier it is to better the environment. For there is still time to do things such as recycle in order to live in a society in the future where keeping a healthy, sustainable planet is possible.

Bibliography

Importance of Recycling. (2008) Retrieved 11 20, 2013, from The Aluminum Association : http://www.aluminum.org/Content/NavigationMenu/TheIndustry/Recycling/

Independent Statistics and Analysis . (n.d.). (Department of Energy ) Retrieved 11 21, 2013, from Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.gov

Schiller, A. (n.d.). Why People Dont Recyle. Retrieved November 9, 2013, from Earth911: http://earth911.com/news/2010/10/25/why-people-dont-recycle/

West, L. (n.d.). About.com . Retrieved November 15, 2013, from Enviornmetnal Issues : http://environment.about.com/od/recycling/a/The-Benefits-Of-Aluminum-Recycling-Why-Recycle-Aluminum.htm

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