Metal recycling is one of those things we hear but we might not fully understand. It’s a process that has a massive impact on the environment and the economy. Metal recycling saves a lot of energy and resources.
In this guide, we’ll explore what metal recycling is and its environmental impacts.
What Is Metal Recycling?
Metal recycling is the process of reusing and reprocessing scrap metal into new materials. Instead of letting these valuables sit in landfills, they’re given a second life. This helps to reduce waste but saves the earth’s natural resources.
From the aluminum soda cans to the steel in your applications, most metals can be recycled multiple times without losing their properties.
Types of Metals That Can Be Recycled
There are some metals that are more commonly recycled than others, and understanding the difference between them can help you make more informed decisions. Generally, metals are categorized into two categories, ferrous and non-ferrous.
Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals contain iron; they’re usually magnetic and prone to rust. A few examples include steel and cast iron. These metals are widely used in construction and manufacturing, which makes them the most recycled materials.
The recycling of ferrous metals is essential for industries to operate that are heavily dependent on steel, as it reduces the need for mining raw iron ore.
Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous do not contain iron, which makes them non-magnetic and more resistant to corrosion. A few examples include aluminum, copper, lead, and zinc. These metals are highly valued in recycling because they don’t degrade or lose their chemical properties after being recycled.
This makes them ideal for a wide range of appliances, machinery, and automotive parts.
Benefits of Metal Recycling
Metal recycling has a positive impact on the environment. By recycling metals, we’re reducing the waste that ends up in landfills and saving natural resources and energy.
Conservation of Resources
The biggest environmental benefit of metal recycling is resource reservation. Mining and processing raw materials requires a tremendous amount of energy, which leads to environmental degradation.
By recycling metals, we eliminate the need to extract new raw materials, which helps preserve natural resources.
Energy Savings
The second major benefit of metal recycling is energy savings. Recycling metals uses far less energy than extracting new metals from raw ore. For example, recycling aluminum saves up to 95%% of the energy as compared to producing new aluminum.
This reduces greenhouse gas emissions and also lowers the overall carbon footprint of metal production.
Job Creation
The recycling industry is a major employer which provides jobs at every level, from collection to processing and sales. This industry offers direct employment opportunities yet also supports other industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and construction.
Conclusion
Metal recycling plays a vital role in saving energy, natural resources, and money and reducing environmental pollution. Understanding the different types of metals and the benefits of recycling encourages us to support recycling as a whole.
Each industry directly or indirectly benefits from metal recycling, yet there are a few challenges that come with recycling such as contamination and technological limitations. But the benefits outweigh the cons, metal recycling is necessary for a sustainable society, and a world.
