The following are 50 alphabetized unique non-renewable resources required for human survival currently and a possible alternative (for some applications) for each:
- Aluminum – Alternative: Carbon fiber
- Antimony – Alternative: Bismuth
- Asbestos – Alternative: Synthetic mineral fibers
- Bauxite – Alternative: Aluminum recycling
- Cadmium – Alternative: Nickel-cadmium batteries
- Chromite – Alternative: Chromium recycling
- Coal – Alternative: Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.)
- Cobalt – Alternative: Nickel batteries
- Copper – Alternative: Aluminum
- Fluorspar – Alternative: Synthetic calcium fluoride
- Galena (Lead ore) – Alternative: Zinc
- Gold – Alternative: Copper or silver
- Graphite – Alternative: Carbon fiber
- Gypsum – Alternative: Synthetic gypsum
- Ilmenite (Titanium ore) – Alternative: Titanium recycling
- Iron ore – Alternative: Recycled iron
- Lignite – Alternative: Natural gas or renewable energy sources
- Lithium – Alternative: Sodium-ion batteries
- Magnesium – Alternative: Aluminum
- Manganese – Alternative: Nickel or aluminum
- Mercury – Alternative: Galinstan is an alloy composed of gallium, indium, and tin. It has similar properties and can be used in various applications, such as thermometers and scientific instruments
- Molybdenum – Alternative: Chrome-moly steel
- Natural gas – Alternative: Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.)
- Nickel – Alternative: Stainless steel
- Nitrogen – Alternative: Synthetic nitrogen production
- Oil – Alternative: Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, etc.)
- Peat – Alternative: Natural gas or renewable energy sources
- Phosphate rock – Alternative: Phosphorus recycling
- Phosphorus – Alternative: Synthetic phosphorus production
- Platinum – Alternative: Palladium
- Potash – Alternative: Synthetic potassium
- Rare earth elements – Alternative: Substitutes or recycling
- Selenium – Alternative: Cadmium telluride solar cells
- Silver – Alternative: Copper or gold
- Sodium – Alternative: Potassium
- Sulfur – Alternative: Synthetic sulfur production
- Tantalum – Alternative: Niobium
- Tin – Alternative: Aluminum
- Titanium – Alternative: Aluminum or steel
- Tungsten – Alternative: Cemented carbide
- Uranium – Alternative: Nuclear fusion
- Vanadium – Alternative: High-strength steel
- Vermiculite – Alternative: Synthetic vermiculite
- White silica sand – Alternative: Synthetic silica or recycled glass
- Wolframite (Tungsten ore) – Alternative: Tungsten recycling
- Wood – Alternative: Bamboo or recycled materials
- Xenon – Alternative: LED lighting or laser lighting
- Yttrium – Alternative: Alternatives with similar properties
- Zinc – Alternative: Aluminum or stainless steel
- Zirconium – Alternative: Aluminum alloys or ceramics
Please note that some alternatives may not be as widely adopted or available as the non-renewable resources mentioned. Also, the suitability of alternatives can vary depending on specific applications and industries.
