The Environmental Impact of Aluminum Bottled Water: Myth vs. Reality

Aluminum is extracted from the soil and processed into a variety of goods. Aluminum, occasionally referred to as green metal, is one of the most ecologically beneficial metals due to its sustainability. Aluminum, being the most recyclable industrial material, can be recycled indefinitely to make the same product.

We’re far better at recycling metal (50% of aluminum items versus roughly 30 percent of plastics), and the cans and bottles that do get up in the correct receptacle are recycled indefinitely! So the storage of water in aluminum containers that incorporate more recycled metal also saves over ninety percent of the energy consumed in its raw material manufacturing.

When it comes to the usage of aluminum’s impact on the environment, there is no absolute black or white area. Rather it comprises a mix of certain advantages and some compromising impacts.

A List Of A Few Suggestive Myths Vs. Reality Checks

Myth:

Aquatic Pollution Is Pretty Much Controlled With Aluminum Usage.

Reality Check:

Source: healthyworldforall.org

Aluminum cans may reduce ocean pollution, but still, they come at a cost; the creation of each can emit nearly double the amount of carbon into the environment as every plastic bottle. Aluminum has been shown to have a deleterious influence on a variety of beneficial freshwater algal species.

The toxic effect of aluminum on aquatic life is affected by a variety of physicochemical parameters, including water pH, temperature, and salt content.

Myth:

Water In Aluminum Is Perfectly Safe In Sunlight.

Reality Check:

Source: unsplash.com

No. The aluminum combines with H2O and dissolved O2 to generate a thin coating of aluminum oxide and dihydrogen. When exposed to sunlight, it discharges particular components into the water.

Myth:

Aluminum Is A Toxic And Non-Recyclable Burden On The Environment.

Reality Check:

Aluminum is recycled more frequently and efficiently than all other packaging materials, including glass and cartons. Because aluminum is infinitely recyclable, each container that is recycled may be processed and transformed into another bottle in as little as 60 days.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, aluminum beverage cans and bottles contain around 68% recycled material, thus a good choice for ecologically aware customers.

Myth:

Aluminum Bottled Water Is Safe, And Green.

Reality Check:

It is supposed that aluminum bottled water is environmentally friendly, but a single liter of water in a plastic bottle requires around three liters of water and roughly 3.4 megajoules of energy to make and sell.

Myth:

Aluminum Bottles Are Less Environmentally Friendly.

Reality Check:

Source: scrapnews.recycleinme.com

Aluminum is completely recyclable and infinitely recyclable. Recycled aluminum consumes 95% less energy than raw aluminum. Because aluminum containers are ninety percent lighter than glass, they require less fuel for transportation and have a lower carbon footprint. The CO2 Footprint of Aluminum is around 97 gm, while that of plastic is 828gm

Conclusion

Reusable bottles, made of aluminum for everyday outdoor activities, have been considered environmentally beneficial. It has become a new trend, particularly among young people, with the main argument being that these containers are refillable, allowing reuse dozens of times. But it is still not immune in every possible way; hence complete dependency on it by people should be avoided.