Copper has been used by our ancestors throughout time dating back at least 10,000 years making copper the oldest metal. One of the oldest copper ornaments was found in northern Iraq dating back about 8700 years. Copper smelting techniques were used in Egypt, Iran, Jordan and Israel over 4500 years ago to name a few and in china over 2500 years ago. Ancient Koreans also used copper in their society. Strictly speaking civilizations all around the world and through out time have used copper Dating back to before the stone age. Makes you think doesn’t it.
Copper has been used throughout time for a multitude of applications ranging from tools to jewelry to I pods. In ancient times copper was used for coins dating back some 7500-8000 years and is still used for coins today. Copper has been used for decorative art, painting canvas’, ornaments, and was even used in the dead sea scroll found in Qumran in 1952. Fast forward to today and copper is used in almost every aspect of our lives most notable are plumbing, electrical wire, and consumer electronics. However I doubt you could name an industry that doesn’t use copper in some manner.
It is estimated that the demand for copper will continue to outstrip supply until at least the end of 2013 when new supply is expected to come online. Global copper consumption for 2012 is expected to hit 19.72 million metric tonnes. That’s roughly 43,384,000,000 pounds. And Global production is expected to hit 19.08 million metric tonnes or 41,976,000,000 pounds. Leaving a shortage of roughly .64 million metric tonnes or 640,000 metric tonnes or 1,408,000,000 pounds.
If my math is correct. No guarantees. Now these are estimates. Estimates based on European demand, American demand, Brazilian demand etc. These numbers could easily be wrong if lets say Europe really takes a hard landing and the euro zone starts to unravel. Its not likely but it is a possibility. If the USA starts to fall apart, again not likely, or if lets say the US dollar loses its spot as the worlds reserve currency. Who knows what might happen under those circumstances. However if the world doesn’t fall apart than copper has a pretty rosy outlook for at least the next 18 months.
Recycling copper in today’s society couldn’t be any more important. Without the stream of recycled copper, we would rely solely on mined copper. Mining new copper uses about 10 times more energy than recycled copper does. Copper can be recycled over and over almost infinitely. By recycling base metals and other recyclable materials eg plastic, oil, and chemicals we reduce the amount of pollution going in to our air and water. We waste less energy and valuable resources. And we help to create a future that is sustainable for our children’s children.
Today almost everything can be recycled, composted or otherwise reused in some manner. We as a society need to make the switch from being wasteful, to becoming efficient and conscious members of the community.
Copper
Copper has been used by our ancestors throughout time dating back at least 10,000 years making copper the oldest metal. One of the oldest copper ornaments was found in northern Iraq dating back about 8700 years. Copper smelting techniques were used in Egypt, Iran, Jordan and Israel over 4500 years ago to name a few and in china over 2500 years ago. Ancient Koreans also used copper in their society. Strictly speaking civilizations all around the world and through out time have used copper Dating back to before the stone age. Makes you think doesn’t it.
Copper has been used throughout time for a multitude of applications ranging from tools to jewelry to I pods. In ancient times copper was used for coins dating back some 7500-8000 years and is still used for coins today. Copper has been used for decorative art, painting canvas’, ornaments, and was even used in the dead sea scroll found in Qumran in 1952. Fast forward to today and copper is used in almost every aspect of our lives most notable are plumbing, electrical wire, and consumer electronics. However I doubt you could name an industry that doesn’t use copper in some manner.
It is estimated that the demand for copper will continue to outstrip supply until at least the end of 2013 when new supply is expected to come online. Global copper consumption for 2012 is expected to hit 19.72 million metric tonnes. That’s roughly 43,384,000,000 pounds. And Global production is expected to hit 19.08 million metric tonnes or 41,976,000,000 pounds. Leaving a shortage of roughly .64 million metric tonnes or 640,000 metric tonnes or 1,408,000,000 pounds.
If my math is correct. No guarantees. Now these are estimates. Estimates based on European demand, American demand, Brazilian demand etc. These numbers could easily be wrong if lets say Europe really takes a hard landing and the euro zone starts to unravel. Its not likely but it is a possibility. If the USA starts to fall apart, again not likely, or if lets say the US dollar loses its spot as the worlds reserve currency. Who knows what might happen under those circumstances. However if the world doesn’t fall apart than copper has a pretty rosy outlook for at least the next 18 months.
Recycling copper in today’s society couldn’t be any more important. Without the stream of recycled copper, we would rely solely on mined copper. Mining new copper uses about 10 times more energy than recycled copper does. Copper can be recycled over and over almost infinitely. By recycling base metals and other recyclable materials eg plastic, oil, and chemicals we reduce the amount of pollution going in to our air and water. We waste less energy and valuable resources. And we help to create a future that is sustainable for our children’s children.
Today almost everything can be recycled, composted or otherwise reused in some manner. We as a society need to make the switch from being wasteful, to becoming efficient and conscious members of the community.
Smart Strategies To Recycle Scrap Metal
Just like any other industrial activity, strategy-making plays an important part in metal recycling processes too. We will be listing out some such useful strategies, which can boost up the overall utility and efficiency of your scrap metal recycling tasks.
Have a stock of good-quality scrap metal, and wondering what to do with it? You can make some money from it! Yes, it is high time you got rid of the idea that scrap metal items are of no value whatsoever. In fact, after proper processing and recycling, they can be sold at pretty high prices. Using products made of recycled metals is a cost-effective solution, and it abides by environmental considerations as well. Here is what you need to do, to lend that extra edge of efficiency to your metal recycling tasks:
- Collect scrap metal – Scrap metal is something you need not buy at high prices. You only need to keep an eye out for the possible places where you can find the same, in a good condition. Worn out mechanical components of your car (like the catalytic converters) can serve as perfectly suitable items for recycling, as do the pieces of scrap metal that you happen to find in your basement, or at your neighbor’s place. The best thing about such readily available scrap metal? They are absolutely free!
- Analyze and sort the scrap metals – A big pile of scrap items, containing traces of different metals (probably along with other impurities) is never going to fetch you a decent price. Carefully segregate the different types of scrap metals that you have collected, so that they can be processed and/or sold off accordingly. This is all the more important in the context of cable recycling, which can result in confusions otherwise.
- Hire the services of a top metal recycling company – Unless you are an expert, experienced recycler, you will have neither the expertise, nor the time to handle the scrap metals correctly. Do not worry too much on this though, for there are many well-known metal recycling companies in your locality. How can you know about them? Simple! Try to get referrals from industrial experts, or just browse on the web!
- Taking weight measurements – Having a thorough knowledge of the weight of the scrap metal you are looking to recycle, and the going market rates on the same, is vital. Before handing over the scrap items to any metal recycling company, do note down their actual weights. This will also help you to find out whether you need to pay any additional service charge for the transit of the stock of scrap items.
- Clarify all lingering doubts – You are not an authority on the actual process of scrap metal recycling, so it is only natural that you might have certain doubts regarding the exact chemical composition of the metals. Make sure that all such confusions are clarified, before the scrap metal stock is processed. The knowledgeable executives from any good metal recycling company can easily come to your aid in such circumstances.
- Specify the product(s) you are looking for, from the recycled scrap metals – The basic purpose of metal recycling would be somewhat defeated, if you do not have a clear idea about the type of product(s)that you wish to be made from the scrap items. For example, if you are interested in computer recycling, you need to inform the company that you need a new PC or laptop from the recycled supplies. Referring to the catalog of products that the metal recycling company has to offer can also prove to be helpful.
Scrap metal recycling can be a really lucrative venture, if you are smart enough to devise proper strategies for handling/selling them. Of course, the environmental utility of recycled products is already well-established. Follow the above tips, and fulfill your precise industrial requirements through recycling scrap metals.