What is the difference between primary and secondary aluminum recycling?

Primary aluminum recycling involves the production of aluminum from bauxite ore through a process called electrolysis. This process is energy-intensive and requires significant resources. Secondary aluminum recycling, on the other hand, involves the recycling of aluminum products back into new aluminum products. This process is much more energy-efficient as it involves melting and recasting the aluminum, which requires only 5% of the energy needed for primary production. Secondary recycling is more sustainable and environmentally friendly due to its lower energy consumption and reduced waste.