recycling aluminum can by melting them contaminates the ground and air is this a hoax?This true but very misleadingYes, the industrial process of recycling aluminum causes some air pollution, as most such processes doAdditionally, although aluminum can theoretically be 100% recycled, the imperfect recycling process leaves some waste (aluminum mixed with various impurities) which has to be safely disposed ofThe waste can occasionally be put to good use, such as being mixed with asphalt for roadsBut you have to compare this to the cost of not recycling aluminumIf you don\'t, you need to mine bauxite, extract aluminum from it, and then refine to a usable grade before you can use it, all very polluting processesIn the case of mining, it leaves a permanent scar on the landscapeAluminum recycling takes only 5% of the energy as this process, and far less pollution.Other related question