Scrap Metal Recycling is an easy way to save money and reduce waste. But there are also many environmental benefits to doing so.

We use Metal in almost everything from Cars, Buildings, White Goods, Sinks, Electrical Goods, E-Waste, File Cabinets, Wrought Iron, Cast Iron, Heavy Machinery, Radiators, and Copper Cable. Also, Lead-Acid Batteries, Electrical Transformers, Fridge Compressors…

Phew, the list goes on!

While Scrap Metal Recycling has been around for a very long time, it is becoming a popular way to help our environment and reduce costs.

We use many different metals every day, with Metal being one of the most common materials found around homes & businesses.

Scrap Metal examples are many;

• Cars use many different metals during production. The primary uses for scrapped cars are in construction, such as building scaffolding.
• Drink cans are recycled to make more cans.
• Aluminium siding, doors, and window frames
• Appliances
• Eyeglass frames
• Farm equipment
• Office equipment and furniture
• Park and playground equipment
• Pipe
• Railroad and subway cars
• Roadbed reinforcing bars
• and hundreds more uses

The benefits of recycling metal are endless for both the economy and the environment, as scrap metal can be used and reused again and again.

Reusing scrap metal ranges from home furnishings and business equipment to industrial use.

Metal recycling is well-established in every state and territory. From drink cans to cars and trucks, more than 5.6 million tons of scrap metal are recycled annually in Australia. That is, 90% of Metal produced is recycled for new uses, which is higher than any other material category.

Recycling that empty soup can or your white goods may not seem like it could make a difference, BUT it does!

Why Recycle?

In Australia, a wide range of metals can be recycled, including aluminium, copper, steel and iron.

Making products from recycled metals makes sense. It uses less energy and water and reduces carbon emissions compared to raw materials.

Hazardous metals such as lead and mercury can leach and contaminate the soil and water system.

6 Environmental benefits of recycling scrap metal.

1. Good for the Environment

Recycling scrap metal means there is less scrap metal in landfills and reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. New metal production releases significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than recycled metal products. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries estimates that recycling metal may cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300 million to 500 million tons.

2. Conserves Energy

Instead of creating new metal products from virgin materials, it takes less energy to achieve the same results with scrap metal.

Recycling steel uses 60% less energy than extracting it from raw materials. Recycling aluminium saves 95%!

That means, if you recycle your aluminium drink can, you can help conserve enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for more than four hours!

It also reduces cost, making a product cheaper for manufacturers.

3. Creates More Jobs

Recycling metal creates 36 times more jobs than sending it to an incinerator and six times more than sending it to a landfill.

4. Frees Up Your Space

Leaving metal junk around can occupy space in our homes, businesses, garages, sheds and yards.

Not only an eyesore, but it also doesn't serve any purpose if only left to be stored.

Recycling your scrap metal is an environmental duty.

Recycling metal is something that we believe should be accessible to everyone. Knowing what materials can be sold as scrap and getting rid of them are all factors to consider. The next time you think about putting something into a landfill, contact our team first to discuss; we will be happy to help you reduce your environmental impact.

5. Conserves Natural Resources

By recycling metals, we protect our environment in many ways.

1. Reduction in mining
2. Protect land and water
3. Protecting animal and plant diversity
4. Reduce landfill and pollution

Worldwide, people are becoming more aware that using natural resources will exhaust our supply of non-renewable resources.

Mining involves drilling deep into the ground and finding new base metals.

But recycling metals is One of the most significant advantages we have in reducing the need for mining.

A considerable amount of water is needed to produce new metals, so recycling reduces the amount of water required.

6. Metal Can Be Recycled Endlessly

Metal can be recycled repeatedly, with most metals recycled an unlimited number of times.

Some metals might see a slight decrease in quality over time, but our reliance on new metals can decrease to almost nothing, protecting our environment and saving money.

What Metals Be Recycled

It is beneficial for the environment to recycle Metals.

And recycling means less extraction of raw materials is required, which helps reduce carbon emissions. The most frequently recycled metals are aluminium, brass, bronze, cast iron, copper, steel and tin.

Non-Ferrous Metals

• Aluminium
• Brass
• Bronze
• Catalytic converters
• Chrome
• Copper
• Copper cable
• Electrical transformers
• Fridge compressors
• Lead-acid batteries
• Lead
• Motors
• Nickel
• Radiators
• Solder
• Stainless steel
• Tin
• Titanium
• Tungsten
• Zinc
• Various other metals

Ferrous Metals

• Car engines
• Cast iron
• Construction scrap
• Drill heads
• Heavy machinery
• High chrome steel
• Light gauge
• Manganese steel
• Railway iron
• Reinforcing rod (reo)
• Roof sheeting
• Steel
• Swarf
• Trains
• Vehicles
• White goods – commercial and residential
• Wrought iron
• Air conditioners
• Air handlers
• Heat pumps
• Water heater

Non-recyclable Metals

There are only a few metals that can not be recycled.

The most common types of Metal that cannot be recycled are those with radioactive properties, such as uranium and plutonium. Additionally, metals containing mercury and lead are also non-recyclable.

The Metal Recycling Process

SORTING

After collecting your scrap metal or machinery, the metals are sorted into recyclable and non-recyclable materials. Only high-quality metals can be used in the recycling process. If lower-quality metals are used, the finished product will not be up to the required specs for use.

PROCESSING AND SHREDDING

Then the scrap metals are compacted, making them the smallest they can be. This process is so they can fit on a conveyor belt. Once condensed, they are shredded to break down the Metal into small fragments, making them easier to melt in the furnace. Why do this? It is quicker and therefore takes Less energy when melting the fragments than the whole piece.

MELTING

Each type of Metal has a dedicated furnace. Large furnaces are used to melt the scrap metal into a molten form. Melting of the metals can vary from minutes to hours, depending on the type of Metal and the volume. Although this process uses a lot of energy, considerably less energy is used compared to creating Metal from raw materials.

PURIFICATION

Once melted, the new Metal must be of the highest possible quality with no imperfections, as impurities can drastically reduce the Metal's properties.

Methods to ensure this can vary, with electrolysis as the most widely used.

Using secondary raw materials reduces the use of new resources, saving energy and protecting the environment.

Many homeowners and businesses neglect to think about recycling metals. Whether you have scrap metal cluttering up your garden, shed, office or demolition site, you can hire our team to remove your scrap metals and junk expertly, no matter how big or small.

Scrap Metal pickup from $69m³

Cheap Cheap Rubbish Removal is expert in Scrap Metal disposal and recycling in Sydney.

Just give us a call, and we will come right to you!

Responsible pickup and recycling