subject: Advantages Of Metal Recycling [print this page] Recycling has become increasingly important in todays world to reduce costs, efficiently manage limited resources and reduce landfill utilization. Many resources can be recycled that includes glass, plastic, paper, metals, etc. This article will focus on metal recycling and its benefits.
Saves energy
Metal recycling reserves natural resources as they less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions than making metals from virgin ores. The high level of greenhouse gas emitted when producing new metals can cause harmful levels of air pollution in city and influence climatic change and result in respiratory health problems in citizens. It has been reported by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries that recycling metals can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300- 500 million tons. Another study by the National Institute of Health found out that using scrap metals instead of virgin ores produces 97% less mining waste and uses 40% less water. If you recycle a single aluminium beverage can, you help conserve enough energy that can power a 60 watt bulb for more than 4 hours (according to the US Environment Protection Agency).
Employs people
The industry of metal recycling is huge and employs millions of people. Thus it has economic benefits as well. The National Institute of Health reported that recycling metals creates 36 times more jobs than sending the same amount of waste to an incinerator (a special large container for burning rubbish) and 6 times more than sending the same to a landfill.
Retains its properties completely
Metals can be recycled without losing any of their important properties. They are different from polymer plastics in that properties (physical or chemical) are completely restored, though the process can sometimes be difficult and costly. Most metals can be recycled indefinitely, making it extremely favourable for the environment. The dumping of metals has a harmful effect on nature because of the dispersal of metallic particles on the ecosystem.
Now lets see some the common metals that are recycled:
Steel
People have been recycling steel for the more than 150 years (according to the US Environmental Protection Agency). Steel recycling consumes only a fraction of energy needed for producing new steel. Homeowners can recycle steel cans and food containers while manufacturers and contractors can recycle steel beams, equipments and machines. Many old appliances and furnishings contain steel, especially in framing or casing that can be recycled instead of going to the landfill. Recycled steel can be used for various purposes like making cars, framing buildings, etc.
Aluminium
Recycling one ton of aluminium can save energy to power a house for 10 years. Recycled aluminium can be used for making mechanical equipments, cars, sheet metals, cans and food containers.
Copper
Copper has high recycling rates, especially owing to its value retaining property. This is the reason why only 12% of worlds raw copper supply has been mined as of 2010 though it is extensively used for making a variety of things like jewellery, plumbing pipes, building materials, electrical wires and much more. The scrap coppers have 95% of the value of new copper, making it a valuable entity for scrap dealers.
If you live in Toronto and want to sell metal scraps, you need not worry. There are many agencies that do scrap metal recycling in Toronto. You can gather metal scraps and sell it to them who will then recycle the metals.
