When you think about recycling the first products that come to mind are plastics, paper, and cardboard. One thing that frequently slips one’s mind is scrap metal. In fact, you may have scrap metal that you don’t even realize.
- Clothes hangers
- Batteries
- Appliances
- Cans
- Electronics
There are some significant reasons to recycle metal.
Environmental
Instead of loading up landfills, keep these metals out. Recycle companies will take the base and precious metals and extract them for resale to manufacturers. These manufacturers will then reuse the products instead of mining for virgin ore.
Mining is a far more expensive process than recycling and that will do nothing but drive up the cost of the new products being produced. In addition, it depletes the limited natural resources on our planet. Mining can also destroy natural habitats for plants, animals and beneficial insects that keep everything in balance.
By processing the same metal over and over and reforming it into new products, it is like having a renewable resource.
It takes less energy to create a product from recycled metal than from virgin ore. The production of raw ore into usable metal also releases more greenhouse emissions than the process of making manufactured goods from recycled metal. The methodology of recycling also uses 40% less water than working with virgin ore.
Economics
It is estimated that the recycling industry for metals creates 36 times more jobs than simply incinerating the same amount of metal. Additionally, it will create 6 times more jobs than sending the metal to a landfill.
Statistics have shown that the amount of energy saved is 92% for aluminum, 90% for copper, and 56% for steel. These are significant savings that can be passed along to the consumers (us) for new and replacement products in our homes and daily lives.
Most recyclers are willing to pay for metal. That means cash for you to use as you like as well as the satisfaction of contributing to the green movement.
Personal
It will clear out clutter. Even items that are neatly arranged will take up space that you can use for other purposes. Selling scrap metal is a great way to fund your next DIY or craft project. You will also be supporting employment within your own community.
Landfills are messy, smelly disasters. When non-biodegradable elements are added to the heap, they can add contaminants to the soil. When rain washes these pollutants into rivers, streams and lakes, it can damage our fresh water supply.
Sometimes people think that they can’t make a difference in their ordinary lives. That is certainly not true. By recycling, each individual makes a significant impact on the quality of our lives. Be an influencer. Instead of posting yet another photo of a meal, use social media to show how you are helping the environment by recycling metals. Have your children, grandchildren, or neighbor kids help you gather metal and load it into the car. You will become a positive stimulus in your own quiet way.
Call us at Manville Recycling with any questions you may have.