Lesson Five: A World of Rubbish

Recycled materials supply 40% of global raw materials needs o Around 1.6 million people are involved in the recycling industry. o Approximately 600 million tonnes of material recycled every year. o Recycling material generates more than $200 billion a year (this is more than GDP of Portugal, Colombia, and Malaysia together). Source: Flickr user Kevin Dooley

Aluminium o Used for: building and construction; transport; packaging; electricity cables; cooking implements. o Estimated 700 million tonnes of aluminium produced since 1880s and around 75% of this is still in use (via recycling). Source: Flickr user Jay Peeples

Copper o Used for: electrical applications including wires, circuits and switches, pipes. o Recycled copper saves up to 85% of the energy used in its primary production. Source: Flickr user Tony Hisgett

Lead o Used for batteries, radiation protection materials o 50% of lead used each year is recycled. o Around 80% of lead is used in acid batteries. o Using recycled lead reduces Co2 emissions by 99%. Source: Wikipedia

Zinc o Used for: as a coating for iron and steel (galvanisation); batteries, to create brass (as an alloy with copper). o The average car includes around 10kg of zinc components (in galvanised body parts). o Producing recycled zinc uses 76% less energy than producing zinc from mined ore. Source: Wikipedia

Tin o Used for cans; car production; springs; glass coating. o Extracting tin from mining requires 99% more energy than recycling it Source: Flickr user Nunavut

Recycling Metal (1) o Sorting

Recycling Metal (2) o Baling Source: Bureau of International Recycling (2013)

Recycling Metal (3) Source: Flickr user Galbiatl group o Shearing

Recycling Metal (4) Source: Flickr user Graela o Separation o Melting