Well-recognized and easily recyclable scrap metals are those metal wastes arising from old equipment and vehicles or any residue after carrying out some development works that may occur on a daily basis. In this regard, the knowledge of what needs to be done with the waste becomes very significant with respect to resource conservation and environmental protection.
Importance of Scrap Metal Recycling
Scrap metals need to be recycled for the following reasons:
This saves the new input resources.
For instance, 95% of aluminum’s energy is saved when it is recycled instead of when it was manufactured from ore. It saves natural resources and reduces the environmental degradation on the environment that mining brings about.
Energy Savings
This is probably the most important reason recycling metals, since their energy consumption is quite less compared with the energy spent on acquiring new metal from the ores. For example, steel produced from the recycled scrap uses about 60 percent of the energy in comparison to that applied during its manufacture from virgin iron ore.
Less pollution
Most virgin metals are more polluting when it comes to their extraction and processing. Recycling will reduce the requirement for mining and processing which again means a reduction in air and water pollution.
Other benefits of recycling metals can be found at United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Kinds of Metal Scrap
Different kinds of scraps of metal are known, which will help in effective recycling.
Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals contain iron and are hence magnetic. They take mostly two forms: steel and cast iron. These types of metal can often be found in old equipment, construction materials, and even vehicles. In general, ferrous metals tend to be recycled en masse since they are so common.
Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals are those without iron; thus they stay non-magnetic. Examples of such include aluminum, copper, and brass. For the most part, non-ferrous metals could be found in electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, and in parts of automobiles. These materials bear high value and are in demand much in recycling programs.
Precious Metals
These are the likes of gold, silver, and platinum that may have been electronics or jewelry of high value. They are not found in general scrap material very often and can carry a lot of value, so they are carefully extracted through the recycling process.
For more information on types of metals and their uses refer to Metal Recycling.
How Metal Recycling Works
There are several activities involved in scrap metal recycling, targeting effective processing.
Gathered
The sources of collection include homes, businesses, and sites. Scarp metals have to be categorized into different types at this stage itself so that the recycling process becomes an easy process.
Cut
The metals are then usually categorized by type and composition after that process, which normally makes the actual recycling process easy. Large sorting metal plants in operation use mechanized equipment, which can accurately separate large quantities of metal.
Processing
These sorted scraps are taken for cleaning and preparation to be recycled. For instance, aluminum cans are smashed, melted, and then remade into a totally different item. The stage in which the metal is relieved of impurities has come and prepared for further use.
Re-cycling
Then, these metals are processed and used in the making of new products. For instance, recycled steel can process in making supplies for construction. It will end up at another cycle of recycling since that these turn into scrap metal again in the long run.
For more about recycling go to Recycling Today at.
Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling
The topmost benefits of recycling scrap metal include
Environmental conservation
Through the recycling of metals, there will be less demand for fresh raw material, hence less pollution from mining and processing.
Economic Value
Recycling also has the benefit of creating jobs in the related industries involved, besides making significant contributions to useful products generated from the process.
Resource Efficiency
Recycling helps conserve natural resources and lowers energy consumption. The production of recycled metals requires less energy compared to producing new metals from raw materials, leading to a more efficient use of resources.
Please see also for information on benefits of recycling metals Bureau of International Recycling’s homepage.
Safe Disposal of Scrap Metal
This way, proper disposal means that metals are scrapped in a responsible way:
Find a Recycling Center
Find a local recycling facility that takes scrap metal in your area. Many of these even accept residential and commercial scrap, though some add the benefit of on-site pick-up for very large amounts.
Prepare the Scrap
Pre-clean and sort scrap metal before delivering the same. Remove all other parts made of material not of the steel scrap to avoid quality impairment after recycling.
Drop Off and Pick Up
Take those separated steel scrap pieces to a metal recycling facility. They will further be able to consult with specifics regarding the type of metal that is or isn’t allowed for recycling. Learn more about recycling scrap metal on Earth911.
Misconcept about Metal Recycling Business However,
such metal scrap recycling efforts are driven by various kinds of fallacies against effective recycling practice.
Recycling of metals is an energy-depleting activity
Scarcely are scraps even trifling in their value that one almost feels ashamed to re-melt metals, and yet every single piece of recycled metal saves enormously in energy and resources.
Recycling Metal Is Complicated
All metals are recycled in the same way.Not all metals are treated the same in the process of recycling. One more difference of the ferrous and non-ferrous metals present another route in order to reclaim these metals.
Metallic waste pieces can land-filled with other normal wastes
Scraps of metals cannot be land-filled with other normal wastes. Proper treatment and recycling give them the right process in a manner that they do not reach the landfills.
Check out other common recycling myths at The Recycling Partnership.
Conclusion
When properly disposed of and recycled, waste metal becomes an asset that turns into something of real value. Knowledge about types of scrap metals, the general process, and benefits accrued from recycling will make us active contributors to all such measures envisioned for a sustainable ecologically balanced future. Recycling of metals conserves natural resources, reduces the utilization of energy, and minimizes the levels of pollution in the environment. This process has an extremely important role in waste management from a better economic and ecological perspective. You can also learn more on the subject from Scrap Metal Recycling or The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.
