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Everything You Need To Know About Scrap Metal Recycling

As global environmental concerns continue to grow, so does the recycling of materials such as metal that would eventually end up in landfills. Metal recycling offers numerous benefits to the economy and the environment primarily because scrap metal can be used and reused. Essentially, there are two types of recyclable metals: ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals consist of high levels of iron, while non-ferrous metals consist of brass, copper, aluminum and titanium.

Recycles Used Metals 

Scrap metal recycling involves taking waste scrap, processing it and using it as raw material for making new metal products. Recycling can involve metal from household appliances, electric devices, copper cables and food packaging. The recycling process is relatively simple and comes with several benefits.

Preserves Natural Resources

Recycling scrap metal reduces the need for mining virgin metals, which helps preserve natural resources like coal and iron. Mining also disrupts the local environment and wildlife because the process involves drilling the ground. Recycling protects the planet and reduces water usage since a significant amount of water is required to process and manufacture new materials. 

Diverts Waste From Landfills

Metal doesn't biodegrade easily hence the need to ensure it doesn't end up in landfills. For a healthy environment, landfills capacity should be minimized because they eventually result in greenhouse emissions and devastating environmental effects. As a result, it's important to divert as much waste as possible and ensure the landfill capacity doesn't grow.  

Boosts Economy

Metal recycling boosts the economy by creating more jobs. While transporting metals to a landfill requires only one truck driver, recycling requires several employees in the various recycling steps. The industry also offers competitive salaries to its employees and has become of interest to many people. Additionally, the investment in recycling is minimal compared to mining, while the retailing costs are almost the same, playing a significant role in boosting the economy. 

Reduces Energy Use

Creating virgin metals requires far more energy compared to recycling. From mining, ore processing, and shaping, a lot of energy is used while emitting of carbon dioxide. Scrap metal recycling helps save a lot of energy that'd have gone to waste and also protects the environment by minimizing the emission of hazardous gases. 

Metal recycling results in multiple benefits to the economy and the environment. Today, local governments have set up areas where you can sell scrap metal instead of directing it to a landfill. If you're curious about metal recycling, consider reaching out to a waste recycling company such as G & M Metal, Inc.