[1338]

Most of the statistics are worded differently from that source, but according to the EPA, the energy used to make products with recycled materials is:

            paper: 40% less

    steel and tin: 60%-74% less

          plastic: 33% less

            glass: 30% less

         aluminum: 95% less

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[FreeFull]

Aluminium is the prime example of a material that's really worth recycling. Production of aluminium involves both high temperatures (950 to 980 degrees Celsius) and a rather large amount of electricity. Recycling just involves melting the aluminium down (The melting temperature is around 660 degrees Celsius).

[SlowRobotAhead]

>Production of aluminium involves both high temperatures (950 to 980 degrees Celsius) and a rather large amount of electricity.

It’s rare I see anyone have even the slightest bit of actual production knowledge in these climate-related topics, so I appreciate that.

You’re right about recycling aluminum. It’s also why a LOT of the new production work is done in Iceland with geothermal heat and nearly free electricity.

Unfortunately, it makes so much sense to produce aluminum in Iceland, that it’s shipped from China to Iceland and back again to do so... on crude tanker fuel at very low efficiency.