The Lifecycle of Recycled Metal: From Scrap to New Products
Scrap metal recycling is a key component environmental preservation and resource conservation. The recycling of metal, whether it’s from old appliances, construction debris, automobile parts, or any other metal waste, is important for those who want to “go green” and make some money while doing so. In this article, we’ll cover the steps of the recycling process, from collection to the making of new goods, as well as the environmental and economic benefits of recycling scrap metal. For more information about the scrap metal recycling process or to sell and recycle your scrap metal in Massachusetts, please contact our team at Allied Recycling Center today!
Collecting and Sorting Scrap Metal
The recycled metal life cycle begins with the collection of scrap metal. Scraps are sourced from construction and demolition sites, junk cars, discarded electronics, broken household appliances, and much more. Almost anything that is primarily made of metal can be recycled at a scrap metal recycling facility.
Once collected, the metals need to be separated. They are generally separated into ferrous metals (e.g., steel and iron) and non-ferrous metals (e.g., copper, aluminum, and brass). Ferrous metals are separated with magnets, while non-ferrous metals are either sorted manually or via an eddy current separator.
Processing and Refining Recycled Metal
After collecting and sorting, the scrap metal is shredded into small pieces for melting. These small pieces of scrap metal are then liquefied using industrial furnaces that melt the metal. The molten metal is then refined to get rid of impurities such as paint, coatings, or leftover alloys, yielding high-quality recycled metal.
Manufacturing New Products from Recycled Metal
After processing, the molten metal is cooled and forged into forms like sheets, rods, or ingots. They are then shipped to factories where they are molded into pieces of cars and building beams, electrical cables, soft drink cans, packaging, and more. Most types of metal can be recycled again and again while maintaining their strength and quality, making scrap metal recycling an extremely sustainable process!
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Metal Recycling
Recycling metal isn’t just eco-friendly; it can also put cash in your pocket because recycling centers will pay you for the scrap value of all the metal you have to sell! Recycling also prevents waste from going to landfills, saves natural resources that are limited like iron ore and copper, and lowers raw materials expenses for producers. For example, recycling aluminum conserves up to 95% of the energy required to produce it from raw bauxite ore. To learn more about the benefits of recycling scrap metal, please contact our team at Allied Recycling Center today!
Contact Allied Recycling Center to Sell & Recycle Scrap Metal in Massachusetts!
If you have any questions about the scrap metal recycling process or are looking to sell scrap metal for the best prices in Southeastern Massachusetts, please contact our team at Allied Recycling Center today! Call us at (508) 668-8699 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we will get back to you as quickly as possible! Visit our facility at 1901 Main Street in Walpole, MA, to get started recycling scrap metal today!