Recycling isn’t controversial. Millions of people put household items in their recycle bins every day. Businesses across the country follow suit. Here are some tips for recycling scrap metal.

It is easy to see the advantages of recycling and to use older items to make new items, rather than letting them accumulate in a landfill. This acceptance is widespread.

We need to increase the amount of recyclable materials, even critical items such as scrap metal. Many Americans don’t realize that many common household and office items are made of metal and can be recycled to create new products.

It’s equally important to keep scrap out our landfills for the environmental benefits.

Recycling scrap metal is simple. We can help you answer your question about how to recycle scrap metal.

Why should you recycle scrap metal?

We recycle scrap that is not needed. This has many environmental benefits. These are just a few of the many reasons that so many people are trying to encourage metal recycling.

By recycling metal, we can reduce pollution and keep scrap out of landfills. Scrap metal can contain toxins such as mercury and lead that can be leaked and contaminate soil and water around landfills, posing health hazards to wildlife and people.

Recycling allows us to reuse metals so that we don’t place additional pressure on the environment or natural resources by needing to obtain new metals. The only way to obtain metal without recycling is by mining virgin metal ores. The majority of metal ores can be found in natural settings. These landscapes can be saved by recycling metal, which allows us to avoid the need for mining or destruction.

Recycling scrap metal helps reduce the impact on our natural resources. One ton of scrap steel can save 2,500 pounds iron ore, 1,400 lbs of coal and 120 lbs of limestone.

Saving Energy

Good news is that there are many metals that can be recycled. This includes iron, copper, steel and steel among others.

Another benefit is the fact that we can save both energy and natural resources.

Recycled metals require less energy than mining for new ore. Recycling uses less water and reduces carbon emission, which helps keep our air clean.

Recycling metal reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also allows you to use the energy saved for other purposes such as heating or lighting your home.

It takes as much energy to produce one can of food from raw materials than it does to produce 20 cans made from recycled metal.

Which metals can you recycle?

You can recycle any metal you want to make new products, such as jewelry, airplanes, trains, and ships. Recycled metals are in high demand, regardless of how small or large they may be. They’re also much cheaper than buying brand-new metals.

Metal roofing materials are often made from recycled metals. Scrap metal can be used to make home furnishings and components, such as fixtures and lighting. You can recycle metals that have outlived their useful life to make new items.

Scrap-metal recycling is good news for the economy. The rapidly growing scrap metal recycling sector has provided additional tax revenue for the states and created thousands of jobs.

It is much easier than you might think to recycle scrap metal. It is easy to find scrap metals in your home. You can find many metal items around your home that you want to replace.

  • Silverware/cutlery
  • Cans made of aluminum and steel
  • Pots and pans
  • Lamp base
  • Metal chairs
  • Bathroom fixtures
  • Pipes for plumbing
  • Electric appliances
  • Swing sets
  • Railings

Others include dryers, washers, heaters and other appliances. Don’t leave any of these appliances in your garage if you have recently replaced them.

What is the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous?

There are two types: ferrous and not-ferrous metals. The difference is simple. Ferrous metals contain iron. Find a magnet to determine if a metal you are interested in ferrous. It’s likely to be ferrous if it sticks to your magnet. If it doesn’t stick to the magnet, it is most likely nonferrous.

Non-ferrous metals are not subject to deterioration during recycling, so they can be recycled infinitely. Non-ferrous metals can also be lighter and more malleable that ferrous metals. Ferrous metals tend to be heavier and stronger.

The high carbon content of ferrous metals makes them susceptible to rust. However, wrought iron resists corrosion and stainless steel is protected against rust because it contains chromium.

Common Nonferrous Metals

You will find many nonferrous metals in your home. These include:

  • Aluminum –It is used in the construction of buildings and homes, roofs, window frames, and other structures. Aluminum can also be used to build boats, cars and trucks, planes, and trains.
  • Brass — Doorknobs, light fixtures, and faucets are made of brass. This metal is also used in fittings for pipes and valves.
  • Copper-There are chances that there is a lot more copper in your home. It could be in your wiring or pipes, as well as in circuits, switches and electromagnets. Copper is used frequently in water supply systems, air conditioners, and refrigeration units.
  • Lead Soft and malleable, but deceptively large, lead can be used for many different purposes, including lead pipe and weights on wheels.
  • Stainless Steel – You’ll find stainless steel in kitchenware and appliances.
  • Tin — Tin is a soft and malleable metal that can be used to coat steel and prevent corrosion. It can also be combined with copper to make tin brass or bronze.
  • Zinc – Galvanized zinc can be used in many ways, such as air conditioners and hair dryers.

Ferrous Metals

Iron and steel are the most common ferrous metals and can often be found in scrap from manufacturing warehouses.

Recycle scrap metal

Recycling scrap metal is vital for our environment and economy. If you have any scrap metal in your home or workplace, contact GLE Scrap Metal. They will help you to recover metals from old items and use them to create new products.

The first step is collection. After the metals have been collected, they are subject to further sorting and treatment. The process of sorting involves the breaking down of items into their components and then separating them for processing. The metals are cleaned to remove any non-metallic materials such as paint and paper. The actual process for recycling metals occurs when the metals have been broken down and reformed into useful pieces called ingots.

A lot of scrap metal that is being recycled in America today goes to the manufacture of new products. Cans contain some recycled metal and many are made with 100% recycled materials.