Re: [GreenYes] questions regarding raw vs. recycled aluminum

[JenGitlitz@aol.com]

Dear Laura, Don, and other GreenYes Subscribers, 

Laura's question could not have been more pefectly timed.  CRI
will be releasing our report titled "Trashed Cans: The Global
Environmental Impacts of Aluminum Can Wasting in America" next
week--just in time for the Jeffords Senate hearing on S. 2220, the 
Beverage Producer Responsibility Act.

This exciting new report documents the sharp rise in aluminum 
can wasting over the last thirty years and draws a detailed picture 
of the environmental impacts of using energy and extracting virgin
resources to replace wasted cans.  The report presents reasons for the 
recent decline in aluminum can recycling rates, and offers solutions to
reverse the wasting trend.

The 53-page report includes many charts, graphs, pictures, and 
17 pages of detailed appendices, making it an incredible value.  
The appendices include data on aluminum can recycling and 
wasting going back to 1972.  

Here’s what some leading environmentalists have to say about the report:

"Decision-makers at every level of government--international, national,
and local--should review this report and take action promptly to compel
manufacturers to take responsibility for their impositions and reverse
this unacceptable environmental and economic disgrace."
  --Allen Hershkowitz, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council

  "This report sheds vital light on the global legacy of American consumer
culture…the innocent looking aluminum can truly leaves a global imprint."
   --John Passacantando, Executive Director, Greenpeace USA

You can order the report now by returning the form below, or order over our
website next week: www.container-recycling.org/publications/order.htm.

Yes, I would like to order the report “Trashed Cans: The Global
Environmental Impacts of Aluminum Can Wasting in America”!

Enclosed is my check, made payable to:
Container Recycling Institute
1911 North Fort Myer Drive Suite 702
Arlington, Virginia  22209-1603

___ $20 Public interest non-profit organizations
___ $40 Government and small business (Gross annual revenue under $250,000)
___ $60 Trade associations, large businesses and corporations (Gross annual 
                revenue over $250,000)
   (Price includes shipping & handling)
       * Call CRI for student rates

Name    ________________________________________________________
Affiliation ____________________________________________________
Address 1   ____________________________________________________
Address 2   ____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip    ________________________________________________
Tel. (      )   ____________________________________________________
Fax (      )    ____________________________________________________
E-mail  _______________________________________________________

In a message dated 7/5/02 10:52:26 AM, djhughes@mailbox.syr.edu writes:

<< Dear Laura,
         No,No,No!!!  Aluminum processing, whether from ore or from 
recycled cans DOES not create PCBs.  Historically, aluminum smelters 
(actually "reduction plants") have been associated with PCB contamination 
because PCBs were purchased and used (not produced) in machinery in the 
plants.  This is true, for example, at the ALCOA plant and Reynolds plant 
(now a division of ALCOA) in MAssena, NY.  As for dioxins, any combuistion 
process will produce some  dioxins, so I would not be surprised if trace 
quantities of dioxins are produced during the processing of aluminum 
ore.  However, when aluminum is recycled it is simply melted down --- 
emissions are minimal.
    Tell your friend that the environmental impact of processing aluminum 
ore FAR exceeds that of recycling aluminum cans.  To wit:
         ENERGY:  it takes 20 times more energy to produce a unit of 
aluminum from ore compared to melting down Al cans.  So, consider all the 
environmental impacts of producing electricity, whether nuclear, coal, or 
hydroelectric (dams).
         AIR POLLUTION:  Al reduction plants are notorious for spewing out 
air pollutants, including flourides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
         EARTH:  Aluminum ore is mined in the tropics, where it leaves 
gaping holes in the earth. Not a pretty sight.

Don HUghes


>I am brand new to this list and hope that someone out there caE��ulp me 
>with a question our organization has received from one of our members that 
>I am unable to technically answer. Here it is:
>
>"I have a question I'm hoping you can help me out with, or at least maybe
>point me in the right direction.
>
>A friend of mine stubbornly refuses to recycle his aluminum cans (although,
>if someone takes it upon themselves to do so, he's fine with that).  He
>says his reason is because somewhere he heard that the process of recycling
>aluminum releases PCBs or dioxins or something into the water supply...
>sorry for the vagueness there, but his recollection was not too specific.
>
>No matter how I argue about the destructiveness and waste of mining virgin
>iron ore, he sticks to his belief.
>
>Where can I find more information on this, or are you very familiar with
>the process of aluminum reprocessing?"
>
>Can anyone out there provide me with a great argument to send to this 
>fella? Does the aluminum recycling process create PCBs or dioxin? Does the 
>raw process? Which creates more?
>
>What about facts and figures on the impact that bauxite mining has, as 
>well as any other materials needed to create alumimun, particulary for 
>food and beverage containers?
>
>More information on the raw bauxite/aluminum manufacturing process versus 
>the recycled aluminum process would also be great.
>
>Thanks for your help!
>
>Laura Huth
>executive director and founder
>Illinois Student Environmental Network
>Urbana, Illinois
>--
>Illinois Student Environmental Network
>110 S. Race, Suite 202, Urbana, IL 61801
>isen@isenonline.org
>800-817-6999  or  217-384-0830
>www.isenonline.org
>
>"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens
>can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
>                  - Margaret Mead
>******************************************
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Jennifer Gitlitz

Director of Research 
Container Recycling Institute
Home office:

1010 Pleasant St.

Worcester, MA 01602

Phone: (508) 793-8516

eFax: (928) 833-0460

e-mail: jengitlitz@aol.com


Container Recycling Institute
1911 Ft Myer Drive, Suite 702
Arlington, Virginia  22209
Phone: (703) 276-9800  
Fax 703.276.9587
www.Container-Recycling.org
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