How To Incorporate Recycling Into Your Daily Life

Understanding How Scrap Metals Are Recycled

14 February 2019 by Alberto Williams

Metals have become part of daily life – they are used to make ships, train tracks, cars, trucks, whitegoods, aeroplanes, pots, pans, cutlery and more. Due to their increased use, there is a need to control the number of scrap metals to conserve the environment. This post will help you understand the scrap metal recycling process.

The recycling of scrap metals involves various stages which include:

Collection and sorting

This is the first step, and it entails the collection of different kinds of metal products. Examples of scrap items that are commonly recycled include steel or alloy wheels, whitegoods, bicycles, roller shutters, kitchen sinks and other metallic products. Usually, these metal items get sorted into skip bins so they can be transported to scrap collectors for processing.

Crushing/shredding

Once scrap metal is sorted, it's taken to a processing plant for crushing. The materials get crushed in compactors to make it easier for conveyor belts to handle them. A hammer mill then shreds the scrap metal into smaller pieces.

Separation

The shredded metal is placed in magnetic drums to separate non-ferrous and ferrous metals. Then, non-metallic materials like plastic and paint are removed – hot air is blown through the metal and sucks up the impurities just like a vacuum.

Melting/ purification

Now that the impurities have been removed, the last step involves melting the scrap metals in huge furnaces. Each furnace is designed for different metals – it all depends on the metal properties. Furnaces are designed with fuel-effective regenerative burners that minimise the energy that's used and environmental impacts. They also contain jet stirrers that promote even temperatures and composition by ensuring metal circulation in the furnace. Stirring ensures the end product is of the highest quality.

When in this molten state, metals get purified through electrolysis, poured into various moulds, and cooled. Huge metal ingots are taken to mills and then rolled into sheets. The sheets can then be supplied to manufacturers to make different kinds of products. Although the energy expenses are high, this cost is less compared to what's required when using raw material.

Reasons to recycle scrap metal

Scrap metal recycling has many benefits. First, it conserves natural resources since they won't be mined as often. This, in turn, reduces greenhouse gasses and the pollution of water. Besides, recycling reduces landfill dumping of metal that could otherwise be recycled. The most vital benefit is the significant energy saving that's made on the economy and environment when metals are recycled, compared to using raw materials.

If you have lots of old metal items around your property, contact a company that offers cash for scrap so it can be recycled. 

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