Aluminium (or tin) foil and cling film are one of the most convenient materials used in our household every day that are wasted. They are practical, versatile and affordable materials. Sadly they both have an impact on the environment. You may be aware that aluminium foil can be recycled. So if you would recycle it, why is it still so bad? The two very short answers are:
- In percentage terms very little is actually recycled in households. You would need to have clean(ish) pieces balled up in size of tennis ball as a minimum to be able to recycle it.
- It is very taxing for the environment to make.
The factors easily overlooked and unknown to many is the energy that goes into making these materials, and the amount of waste it produces.
Aluminium foil can take 400 years to decompose…
Foil is an everyday item that is used all over the world. It provides many uses in cooking and storing food to save for later. What is considerably overlooked is the amount of energy that it takes into making aluminium foil. The amount of energy and heat that goes into the process is unsustainable for the environment. In Europe, an estimated 800,000 tonnes is produced each year, and 600,000 tonnes in the U.S.
Each year the average UK household uses 144m kitchen foil and 182 foil containers. It is estimated that only about a fifth (20%) is recycled, whilst the remainder is unnecessarily going to landfill. You can start to reduce the amount of waste by rinsing the foil and reusing it or scrunching it into a ball into the recycling. You will need to save up enough to make it to the size of a tennis ball before popping it into your recycling bin. Recycling aluminium also saves up to 95% of the energy it takes to make aluminium from raw materials and thus it’s much more energy efficient than producing from virgin materials, according to the Co-op.
It is important to recycle this material as it’s one of the longest to decompose materials. When it isn’t reused it can take up to 400 years to break down. Pretty long, considering the time-span of its actually use may only be a few hours or days. When recycling aluminium foil, be careful to remove all remaining food and grease as it can contaminate the rest of the recyclable materials and save up enough before recycling. Foil can be endlessly recycled.
Aluminium foil vs cling film
Although recycled aluminium foil costs much less energy to make (about 5% of the original energy cost), aluminum foil made from virgin materials is actually far worse for the environment than cling film.
To make the foil you have to use fossil fuels. There are a number of other impacts to take into consideration such as water pollution, human health impacts, and greenhouse gas emissions. Processing the raw material in aluminum, bauxite, consumes a lot of energy. In comparison, making one ton of cling film uses 83% less energy and 88% less greenhouse gas emissions than the same amount of aluminum foil.
The Bright Side: Sustainable Alternatives
- Beeswax Wraps: An eco-friendly alternative to cling film, beeswax wraps are versatile and reusable. They can cover food bowls, and mold over various items.
- EdiBee’s Versatile Styles: EdiBee offers a range of washable wraps, from original styles to easily fitted bowl covers and sandwich/food bags. Washable wraps can also be used for perishable foods, and are more hygienic as well as provide a longer life.
- Containers: When space is not an issue, containers emerge as a popular option for storing food without the need for wraps. Bento boxes with separate compartments offer a convenient solution for on-the-go meals.
Conclusion
As we unwrap the environmental impact of aluminum foil, it’s clear that more sustainable choices are needed. By understanding the statistics, embracing alternatives, and adopting eco-friendly practices, we can collectively reduce our environmental footprint and create a more sustainable future.
Further reading
AZO Materials, Aluminium foil – recycling, source reduction and energy recovery
Co-operative, Yule be shocked! Over 3,000 tonnes of aluminium will end up in landfill this Xmas
European Aluminium Foil Association: Facts about alumium foil, accessed
The Aluminium Association, foil & pacakaging.
The green living detective; how green is it… to use Alumium Foil