Infinitely Recyclable
Supported by mature recycling infrastructure in many regions, aluminum can be recycled repeatedly without losing its performance, making it an ideal choice for architects and builders who prioritize sustainability.
The importance of recycling and repurposing building materials
Recycling and reclaiming building materials keeps debris out of landfills—and it starts with what’s specified up front. Some products—like composites, fiber cement, or plastics—claim to be recyclable, but the real pathway may be limited, expensive, or energy-intensive. Aluminum is often a more climate-smart choice because it can be recycled repeatedly; about 90–95% is recovered and recycled at end of life.
What to look for when a product claims “recyclable”
Before specifying a product solely because it claims recyclability, ask:
- Is there a real recycling pathway in the regions where the product is sold and installed?
- Is the material recyclable with existing, widely available infrastructure (or does it require a specialized program)?
- Does the recycling process involve high energy use or chemical processing that offsets the benefit?
- What happens in practice if it isn’t recycled—does it persist for decades or shed harmful compounds over time?
What is reclamation and why does it matter?
Reclaimed materials typically maintain their original form and are cleaned, refinished, or adapted for a new purpose.
- Reclamation can save up to 95% of the embodied energy compared to manufacturing new materials, and it helps keep usable materials out of landfills.
- Common examples include reclaimed wood, salvaged brick, architectural metals, fixtures, and millwork.
- It can be highly local and low-impact, with feasibility dependent on availability, labor, and code requirements.
Why Aluminum is a Climate-Smart Choice
Safe Over Time
Aluminum is often a better long-term alternative to plastics-based or composite materials that are harder to recycle in practice, and can release harmful compounds over time.
Highly Recoverable
Highly recoverable at end-of-life (with strong recovery rates in the built environment), which means a large share of aluminum products used in buildings are collected and returned to the supply chain rather than landfilled.
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