Scrap metal recycling is a process whereby scrap metal is processed from structures that have reached the end of their useful life. The recycled metal is used in the production of new goods. The metal recycling process begins with collection whereby it is sourced from both individuals and companies. The metals are then sorted, shredded and melted down. A purification process then follows. Here are some incentives as to why you should recycle scrap metal.
Financial Incentive
Metals can be recycled several times without degrading their properties. Since scrap metal has value, people are motivated to collect it and then sell the scrap metal to recycling plants. Different metals are worth different amounts of money. Typically, non-ferrous metals are worth more than ferrous metals. Companies used to view scrap metal as lost profit. Nowadays, they can turn this trash into profit by selling it to recycling plants to be recycled and used for new purposes.
End-User Benefits
The new products produced from scrap metal do not appear recycled in any way. The recycled scrap metal winds up in a variety of products such as buildings and new cars. Steel metal is the most recycled material more than any other available metallic materials. Recycled steel can be found in buildings and appliances.
Environmental Benefits
Recycling scrap metal leads to the reduction of unnecessary waste. The recycling of unwanted materials is a great way to contribute to the protection of the environment. Recycling scrap minimises the formation of landfills. The toxins found in the landfills pose risks to water and soil. Scrap recycling ensures the preservation of natural resources, and it also reduces energy use as well. A plant uses less energy recycling scrap metal than extracting them from their ore. Goods can then be made from the recycled metal and then sold at a lower cost to consumers.
Economic Benefits
Recycling metal creates more jobs in the informal sector. Scrap recyclers buy excess scrap from construction sites, thereby providing the factories and manufacturers with an income stream. Recycling lessens the amount of money spent on mining for new fossil fuels. Recycling of scrap metal in sufficient amounts will lead to a decrease in importation. This consequently has the effect of spending less money on importation. In an ideal situation, less money spent on importation would lead to fewer taxes.
Now that you have an idea of the benefits you can accrue by recycling scrap metal, it is very important you are cognisant about the metal waste that you throw out. Make sure it is sorted separately for recycling in order to benefit the economy, environment and the end-user as well.
My parents raised me with a love for the environment from a very early age. Our family home was always big on recycling where we could, and I carried this ethos through to my own home when I moved out. Not everyone realises how easy it is to incorporate recycling into their daily life, so I began this blog to help share my advice on this topic. From recycling your own home rubbish to using recycled products when renovating, my posts cover a multitude of ways you can embrace recycling. Teaching your kids how to compost is another way you can recycle your rubbish, so come on board and see which recycling techniques appeal to you.