All case studies

35 billion used aluminium beverage cans. Of
its global facilities, six are devoted to
recycling post-consumer aluminium as well as
scrap aluminium generated during the
manufacturing process. This recycled metal is
then utilized by Novelis’ own rolling facilities
to produce can sheet –- an economical and
efficient process. This process can continue in
an endless loop, because aluminium maintains
its original quality through the recycling
process and re-use.
Novelis has implemented and supports
recycling programs directly or through
associations in various countries:
• In Brazil, Novelis has assumed a leadership
role to increase the region’s acceptance
of aluminium cans and the environmental
and social benefits of recycling through
educational programs on the advantages
of aluminium recycling, and collaborated
with some 300 schools in doing so.
• Novelis is the leading aluminium can
recycler in Europe. They operateEurope’s
only dedicated UBC plant which produces
new can sheet material. They recycle cans
and are actively involved in education and
awareness activities right across the
continent.
• Novelis sponsors America Recycles Day;
The Cans For Cash program co-sponsored
with the U.S. Conference of Mayors; an
active member and supporter of Cans for
Habitat program; and The Aluminium Can
Council Curbside Value Partnership (CVP),
a national partnership between the aluminium
industry and material recovery facility
(MRF) operators, local officials and
organizations interested in recycling.
Aluminium produced from scrap requires 95
percent less energy than is needed to produce
primary aluminium – which means that up to
95 percent of related emissions such as
greenhouse gases are also avoided. Reductions
of that magnitude take on added significance
at a time of increased concerns about climate
change and its associated impacts on
biodiversity.
Specifically, here are some of the environmental
impacts avoided through recycling:
• 95% energy savings
• Greenhouse gas emissions avoided –
tonne of recycled aluminium avoids
emissions of approx. 0 tonnes of CO
• Reduced use of natural resources
• Chemical use reduced (acids, bases)
– 50 kg of caustic soda – 8 kg of
aluminium fluoride – 86 kg of lime
• tonne of recycled metal eliminates the
need for 5 tonnes of bauxite, thus
eliminating the need for more mining
• tonne of recycled aluminium eliminates
the generation of nearly tonnes of red
mud, eliminating the need for red mud
treatment in ponds/impounds reducing the
overall processes impact on biodiversity
• Recycling minimizes the overall impact on
biodiversity
3. External Stakeholder Requirements
Novelis is committed to compliance with
policy mandates, legal requirements and
local stakeholder needs related to biodiversity
such as:
• Emission regulations (air, water, landfill)
• Wetlands protection legislation
• Navigable water protection
ENVIRONMENT, BIODIVERSITY
• Acquisitions and divestiture process – A
responsible approach that assures
biodiversity issues are addressed during
acquisitions and divestitures (going beyond
compliance with the law)
4. Novelis Bauxite Mine Rehabilitation
Program
This includes:
• Top Soil Management – Valuable organic
top soils are collected and stockpiled prior
to the mining operation
• Species collection, transport and
propagation – Native seeds and sprouts
are selected based on indigenous flora
analysis – Seeds and sprouts are
transported to nurseries that have been
specially designed for developing these
native seeds and sprouts – Plants are
monitoring in the nurseries during the
growing season
• Re-vegetation through inclusion of the
collected species in reforested areas –
Stockpiled top soil is distributed – Native
plants are replanted in areas to be
rehabilitated
• Monitoring program – Replanted areas are
monitored for survival rate, growth and
spread during the rehabilitation process
and action is taken wherever necessary.
For more information on Novelis’s biodiversity and other environmental programmes, please visit
their website at www.novelis.com.