Consumption
Recycling one aluminum can (15g)
Yhden alumiinitölkin kierrätys (15g)
-0.5
Truecost score
Data confidence:
HIGH
Carbon savings among best-established figures in materials science.
Recycling one aluminum can saves 95% of the energy vs primary production. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable without quality loss.
Did you know? Negative Truecost scores mean you're actively helping the planet.
Transparent calculation
How was this number determined?
The Truecost score is calculated from absolute physical values. Each row below shows the measured value, how it was normalized, and where it comes from.
| Dimension | Absolute value | Score 100 = | Normalized | Weight | Weighted | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Emissions | -0.12 kg CO₂e | 9.5 kg CO₂e | -1.26 | ×0.35 | -0.44 | HIGH |
| Water Consumption | -3.0 liters | 3840 liters | -0.08 | ×0.2 | -0.02 | MEDIUM |
| Land Use | -0.01 m²·year | 51 m²·year | -0.02 | ×0.2 | -0.00 | LOW |
| Waste | -0.015 kg | 5 kg | -0.3 | ×0.15 | -0.04 | HIGH |
| Toxicity | -0.5 µDALY | 162 µDALY | -0.31 | ×0.1 | -0.03 | LOW |
| Truecost score (weighted sum) | -0.5 | |||||
Share of your annual planetary budget
Carbon Emissions
-0.01%
Water Consumption
-0.00%
Land Use
-0.00%
Waste
-0.00%
Toxicity
-0.00%
Source data by dimension
Where do the absolute values come from?
Carbon Emissions
HIGH
Primary: 16.5 kg CO₂e/kg (IAI 2023). Recycled: 0.5 kg/kg. Saving: 16 kg/kg. Per 15g can: 0.24 kg. Net (after collection/reprocessing): ~0.12 kg.
- International Aluminium Institute (2023): Primary aluminium carbon intensity
- European Aluminium Association (2023): Recycling data
95% energy saving well-established. Aluminum infinitely recyclable without quality loss.
Water Consumption
MEDIUM
Bayer process: 3–5 L/kg aluminum. Avoided for recycled. Per 15g can: ~3L saved (incl. mining water).
- European Aluminium (2018): Environmental profile report
Land Use
LOW
Avoided bauxite strip mining: ~3 m²/tonne. Per can: negligible but positive.
Waste
HIGH
The can (15g) diverted from landfill.
Toxicity
LOW
Avoided red mud (highly alkaline bauxite refining waste). Rough health benefit estimate.
- Gräfe et al. (2011): Bauxite residue issues — Hydrometallurgy
Comparisons
- Saves enough energy for 3 hours of laptop use
- 95% energy savings compared to producing new aluminum
Methodology
Energy savings: primary aluminum (Hall-Héroult) vs secondary recycling. Net saving accounts for collection and reprocessing energy.
Sources
- International Aluminium Institute (2023): recycling data
- European Aluminium Association (2023): Environmental profile
- US EPA: Environmental benefits of recycling aluminum