Environmental and economic analysis of aluminium recycling through life cycle assessment

Aluminium is the most-used metal in the world after steel, with a wide range of applications in the industrial field owing to its physical and mechanical properties. The aim of this study was environmental and economic analysis of secondary aluminium. In particular, this study demonstrated that aluminium recycling offers many advantages to both consumers and industry:

• Increased energy savings compared to primary aluminium production;

• Recovery and reuse of raw materials for future production avoids consumption of non-renewable resources;

• Reduction in landfill waste and consequent environmental damage;

• Reduction in bauxite mining which, in turn, will reduce the socio-economic impact on populations of those countries, mainly underdeveloped, that contain mines;

• Economic advantages for Italy, the first European producer of secondary aluminium, which lacks bauxite mines and has high energy costs.

This study used the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method, the modified Eco-indicator 99 method for damage calculation, and the SimaPro calculation code. The study examined secondary aluminium production by ICMET, based in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The economic and environmental evaluation utilised environmental information supplied by the company.