Making a difference: the benefits of scrap metal recycling

The Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling

At the quarter mark of the 21st century, our planet is facing significant challenges never before experienced in the history of mankind.

We are using or abusing more natural resources than we can to generate.

This can be attributed to a relatively recent shift in the way we view the world around us. As the song goes, we are living in a material world. In the last century, it was not uncommon to buy a car, television or appliance, repair it if it malfunctioned, and keep it for the extent of its useful life. As new technologies make products more affordable and accessible, we no longer see our possessions or surroundings as a constant – they are disposable. One of the major ramifications arising from this mentality is resource depletion – the expenditure of a resource faster than it can be replenished.

The pervasiveness of metal

Globally, metal and metal-manufactured products are predicted to reach a value of $18.5 trillion by 2030. This is unsurprising since metals are a fundamental component in almost everything, from household appliances and transportation to construction products – vehicles, phones, laptops, pipework, sheet metal, structural reinforcement, cladding, plumbing and roofing, the scope and breadth is astounding.

The sheer amount of scrap metal humans constantly produce is difficult to fathom and without recycling, it would all end up in landfill. As waste, corroding scrap metal significantly contributes to pollution and stretches the capacity of overburdened landfill sites. Metal is not biodegradable; it can take up to 250 years for one metal can to decompose, and during this time contaminated metals continuously release toxins into surrounding soil and groundwater.

Recycling process

Metal recycling not only diverts waste from landfill, but it also creates jobs, aids the environment and reduces the environmental impacts stemming from mining and excavation of raw materials.

The process of recycling scrap metal is straightforward compared to the process of mining and manufacturing metal from virgin materials.

Once scrap metal has been collected, it is sorted according to several grading processes:

• Type

• Purity

• Level

• Contamination (requires refining to remove impurities)

The separated metals are then processed and broken into smaller pieces which are easier to transport and melt. These pieces are heated to extreme temperatures in a furnace and the molten metal is then poured into moulds to be reused in a range of consumer products and construction materials.

Recycled steel

Steel originated in the 13^th century when it was a mixture of iron and carbon to create a stronger product than iron alone. These days it is commonly combined with nickel, manganese, chromium and titanium, depending on the final product.

All types of steel are recyclable and recycling is more energy efficient, using 75 per cent less energy than steel derived from raw materials. For every tonne of steel recycled, 1133kg of iron ore, 635kg of coal and 54kg of limestone are conserved.

More than half of steel products are recycled. In fact, steel is more recycled than plastic, yet it is still a major source of pollution. As steel demand steadily grows, it is imperative that we are vigilant in capturing it, ensuring it remains part of the circular economy, rather than dumped into landfill.

Aluminium

One of the earth’s most abundant metals, aluminium is the epitome of a sustainable material. It is incredible to think that 75 percent, or 1.5 billion tonnes of all the aluminium ever produced is still circulating today! This is due to its amazing ability to be recycled an infinite number of times. Utilising aluminium at the design phase, construction companies are literally ‘building in’ the potential for a significant portion of a project to be recyclable.

Are all metals recyclable?

Not all metals are recyclable. Radioactive or toxic metals such as mercury, plutonium and uranium or those found in batteries, can result in a diverse range of health issues including poisoning, damage to the nervous system and certain types of cancers. These types of metals need to be disposed of responsibly to avoid the risk of chemicals leaching into the environment. In Australia, there are specialised facilities for the safe disposal of toxic waste.

Ready to recycle?

If you are committed to responsible recycling of scrap metal, contributing to sustainable development and being part of the solution, contact SKIPZ Recycling today. Working with likeminded businesses, including our joint venture partners Delta Group, SKIPZ Recycling are diverting scrap metal, concrete, timber and plastics away from landfill and into eco products used in civil construction and public infrastructure projects.

To book a residential or commercial skip bin or learn more about our waste management services and resource recovery, visit our website or give us a call on 1300 335 822.