Final answer:
Recycling aluminum is much more environmentally friendly than electrolysis of bauxite as it saves up to 95% of the energy required for new production, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and greatly cuts down the overall electricity consumed, which accounts for a significant portion of a nation's energy use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recycling of aluminum is significantly better for the environment compared to the electrolysis of bauxite because it requires substantially less energy. The electrolysis process used to extract aluminum from bauxite, the most common source of aluminum, is extremely energy-intensive. First, bauxite is converted into pure aluminum oxide by the Bayer Process, which then undergoes electrolysis in a solution of molten cryolite. This is necessary as aluminum oxide has too high a melting point to be electrolyzed on its own.
In contrast, recycling aluminum saves up to 95 percent of the energy required to produce new aluminum from ore. Furthermore, recycling reduces the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, contributing to long-term savings by reducing the need for landfills, mining operations, and international shipping of raw aluminum. Aluminum is an infinitely recyclable material, and around 75 percent of all aluminum ever produced is still in use, a testament to its sustainability when recycled.
From an ecological standpoint, recycling aluminum is both cost-effective and conserves resources. The energy savings from recycling are substantial when considering that electrolysis of aluminum uses about 5% of a country's total electricity—recycling requires only about 1/70th of the energy needed for refining aluminum from ore. This dramatic energy reduction highlights the environmental benefits of prioritizing aluminum recycling programs.