A lot of it accumulated at Christmas: aluminum. Whether in tea light holders, chocolate packaging, or wrapping paper. Aluminum is a recyclable material, but its extraction is problematic for humans and nature, which is why it should be returned to the material cycle as far as possible, or better still, avoided altogether. Our tips can help you to use aluminum in an environmentally conscious way.

Production and its consequences

Aluminum is not found freely in the earth's crust and must therefore be extracted as a component of the mineral bauxite. This mineral is found mainly in the tropics, mostly under rainforest areas, and is extracted in open-cast mines. The largest mining areas are in Australia, China, Brazil, Guinea, India, and Jamaica. It is obvious that large areas of rainforest are destroyed in the process. But it is not only mining that is harmful, but also further processing. For example, toxic red mud is produced during aluminum production. In many countries, this is not disposed of properly, but simply discharged into waterways. And smelting also produces fluorides and other gases that are harmful to humans and nature. Detailed information about production and informative videos can be found in the list of links below.

Aluminum in everyday life

Aluminum is found in many objects: from aluminum foil, coffee capsules, Tetra Paks, and beverage cans to cooking utensils, windows, cars, airplanes, and railroad cars, as well as in electronics. The material is very versatile due to its light weight, heat resistance, conductivity, and flexibility, which is why it is so popular. Its durability is another positive aspect of aluminum, which is why 75% of the aluminum produced to date is still in use or has already been recycled several times.

Global annual demand for aluminum is 68 million tons and continues to rise due to the growing automotive, aircraft, and construction industries. Aluminum production in Germany is 1.3 million tons. The greatest demand for aluminum in Germany is in transportation (48%). Packaging and consumer goods together account for about 15% of aluminum consumption.

Recycling aluminum

Instead of constantly extracting new aluminum, it can also be recycled. Recycling requires only 5% of the energy used in new production. North America is currently the pioneer in the production of recycled aluminum, followed by Asia and Europe. However, compared to the production of primary aluminum, there is still much room for improvement. Only 66% of aluminum can be recycled.

The main problem for recycling lies in so-called composite packaging, such as coffee packaging, in which aluminum is only present as a component. Separating this and recycling it sensibly remains difficult. It is also difficult to recycle printed lids and similar items. The melting process produces toxic substances due to the colored prints. The website Utopia has explained this in more detail in a report, which you can find in our list of links.

Tips for everyday life

After all, 15% of aluminum demand in Germany is accounted for by packaging and consumer goods. So every individual can do something to reduce this figure.

The best thing, of course, is to avoid aluminum altogether. This is not so easy, especially with everyday items, but does it really have to be an aluminum lunch box? Or a thermos flask? It is better to use stainless steel alternatives. Bicycles and other everyday items should be used for as long as possible and resold or given away when they are no longer needed. If the items are no longer usable, they can simply be handed in as scrap metal at recycling centers.

It is easier to avoid aluminum when it comes to packaging. Unpackaged stores can now be found in all major cities, including Mainz. When barbecuing, for example, you can use stainless steel, enamel, or ceramic grill trays. This is not only better for the environment, but also healthier, as reported by Stiftung Warentest. If foil is still needed, recycled aluminum foil products are now available in stores. And instead of mustard in a tube, mustard can be bought in a jar. This also means you usually end up with a handy drinking glass. Reusable bottles should be used instead of beverage cans and Tetra Paks. There are now even more environmentally friendly alternatives to aluminum coffee capsules.

If packaging waste does occur, the packaging residues, such as from Santa Claus figures and chocolate, should be formed into larger balls if possible so that they are not lost when sorting the waste.

A list of alternatives to aluminum products can be found on Utopia.