Sustainable & Circular Materials – Understanding Aluminum Recycling
Earn 1 AIA LU.
This session will share vital information on how to leverage aluminum to cut embodied carbon emissions. You’ll gain the skills to better understand calculation of carbon footprint and sourcing of recycled aluminum, get insight into new usage of this material.
Aluminum is a cornerstone of modern architecture—lightweight, durable, and endlessly recyclable. But not all aluminum is created equal. As the metal is extremely energy intensive to produce in its primary form, the recycling case for aluminum is greater than for most materials. This course introduces architects to the environmental and strategic importance of using recycled aluminum, and in particular post-consumer aluminum scrap, in building projects. Participants will gain insight into the aluminum recycling process; quality of secondary aluminum and how specifying low-carbon aluminum can significantly reduce a building’s embodied carbon footprint.
Through real-world examples and data-driven insights, the course will explore how recycled aluminum contributes to emissions reduction, enhances supply chain resilience in the U.S., and which sustainability standards to look for. Attendees will also learn how to evaluate Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), calculate CO₂ emissions from recycled content, and navigate relevant standards and certifications.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the process of recycling of aluminum
- What you need to know about the quality of recycled aluminum (surface, alloys, structural etc.)
- How to understand the greenhouse gas emissions in the aluminium supply chain.
- Differentiating Post-Consumer and Pre-Consumer Scrap.
- Learn about the different methodologies used to calculate the environmental impact of recycled aluminium.
- Learn about the common environmental standards in Europe and the U.S relevant for aluminum.
