Aluminium is arguably the most environmentally friendly building material. It is the most abundant metal on Earth. After oxygen and silicon, aluminium is the third most common element, making up 8% of the earth's crust. This means, with the fact that aluminium is endlessly recyclable, that supplies of aluminium are effectively inexhaustible.

Aluminium's primary source, bauxite, is mined from reserves close to the earth's surface, so habitat disturbance is temporary. Whilst isolating aluminium from bauxite consumes a large amount of electricity, two-thirds of this is now generated through hydroelectric power thus avoiding any CO₂ emission.

Recycling reduces energy consumption by 85-95% in comparison to production from ore. Recycling produces high quality aluminium without loss of properties and there is no requirement to mix recycled metal with 'new' aluminium from ore. Recycling rates for used aluminium products are over 80% in building and over 95% in transport and 30% in packaging. With an ever-increasing proportion of recycled metal in use, aluminium can be accurately described as the ultimate sustainable material.

Non-toxicity means that aluminium is safe for plants, animals and humans.