How society can benefit from recycling metal

How Society can Benefit from Recycling Metal?

The process of recycling metal not only saves resources and reduces pollution but also prevents the destruction of natural habitats that takes place from mining new ore.

Metals are a non renewable resource which means that their supply will come to an end unless they are used sustainably. The process of recycling metal not only saves resources and reduces pollution but also prevents the destruction of natural habitats that takes place from mining new ore. Recycling metal involves melting down scrap metal and reusing it in the manufacturing of new commodities. The best part is that metal does not lose any of its original properties during the recycling process therefore, it can be used indefinitely. The atomic structure of metal does not change after it is melted. The same cannot be said for materials such as plastic and paper.

There are two kinds of recycled metals, ferrous and nonferrous. Scrap metal that is made from steel or iron is called ferrous metal. It is acquired from the salvaging of used automobiles, steel beams and rail road tracks. Scrap metal that is made from metals other than iron and steel are called non ferrous metals e.g. Aluminium from foil or cans. Even though ferrous scrap is recycled in greater quantities, it is more profitable for metal recycling companies to recycle non-ferrous scrap.

Recycling metal also has tremendous environmental benefits. There is a substantial amount of energy saving and reduced CO2 emissions in the production methods using recycled materials. Since secondary raw materials are used instead of fresh natural resources a lot of energy and money that would be otherwise be spent on the mining process is saved. In fact, the recycling process of aluminium uses 95 % less energy and emits 95% less carbon dioxide than making fresh aluminium from bauxite ore. Studies carried out by steel recycling companies also revealed that recycling steel reduces CO2 emissions by 80%.

Besides environmental benefits there are also a lot of economic benefits that can come from recycling scrap metal. It increases the amount of domestic manufacturing jobs in a country thereby supporting its competitive edge in international markets. Since landfills are services that are paid for by taxpayers, recycling metals benefit them by decreasing the amount of materials in landfills. Business and other organization that carry out recycling activities are also looked up to by society. In fact recycling metals keeps prices low for both consumers and well as companies as mining for fresh ore would shoot up the cost of everything from groceries to real estate.

Therefore lets us unite to recycle metals for a better future before it is too late.