Industrial Scrap Metal Recycling- What Is It? How Does it Work?

by Greenway Metal Recycling | Aug 21, 2022

Industrial scrap metal recycling has been an important part of the manufacturing industry for decades. Not only does this industry provide new jobs, but it also saves resources, raw material, and energy. Recycling industrial scrap has many benefits, including lower environmental impact, reduced costs, and more opportunities for exporting. This makes it a powerful economic activity that is helping the U.S. stay competitive in the global market. So, start maximizing your business by recycling industrial scrap metal!

The Basics of Metal Recycling

Metal recycling is a simple concept. You take old materials and turn them into new ones. This process involves taking used metals and turning them into new metals. In order to do this, you need to find a company that specializes in metal recycling. These companies collect scrap metal from consumers, manufacturers, and other sources. Then, they use special equipment to separate the different metals. Finally, they melt down the metals and make them into new products.

Metal recycling at businesses has been around for many years, and it is a good way to protect our environment. The scrap metal recycling process involves collecting all types of metal materials and sorting them according to their properties. First, it is important to understand the types of metals. There are two main types of metal: ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals contain iron or carbon. Nonferrous metals contain other elements. Non-ferrous scrap metal includes zinc, copper, lead, and aluminum. Precious metals are non-ferrous.

By breaking down these materials, they can be recycled for new products. Industrial scrap metal recycling companies process this metal to create usable commodity grade products. Metals used in these processes are used to build new appliances, construction materials, and much more. Your local scrap yard can assess the condition of metal scrap and recommend a scrap metal collection program. After industrial scrap metal is recovered, the scrap metal business will sort the scrap into different categories. Then, the scrap metal undergoes secondary refining. During secondary refining, the recycled metal is purified to known specifications.

Why Should You Care About Metal Recycling?

There are several reasons why you should care about metal recycling. First, it saves money. If you recycle metals instead of sending them to landfills, you will save money on disposal fees. Second, it protects the environment. By recycling metals, we protect the air, soil, and water quality by preventing pollution. Third, it keeps us safe. Metals are essential to manufacturing products such as cars, appliances, and electronics. Without these metals, there would be no products at all. Fourth, it makes sense. We live in a world where people are increasingly concerned with sustainability and the environment. They understand that recycling is good for both the economy and the planet.

The process of metal recovery requires less energy than creating new products. Recycling aluminum cans, for example, can save enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours. This translates to cheaper products and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Second, industrial scrap recycling is an excellent way to provide jobs for people. According to a recent report by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the industry employs around 531,510 people in the U.S. Not only does it help the environment by keeping landfills clean and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, it also reduces the price of precious metals.

Recycled metals cost less to manufacture than virgin raw material, so businesses can pass these savings on to consumers. Currently, about 30% of all metals are recycled. A business can reap substantial benefits by reducing its carbon footprint and increasing its profits. Consumer demand for new products is constantly increasing, which creates ongoing demand for metals.

Recycling metal also reduces waste collection and production costs. Recycling is an inexpensive alternative to mining new metal. The amount of resources needed to produce a new piece of metal is limited. Reusing old metal reduces this demand and can provide financial incentives for recycling. In addition, recycling scrap metal is an environmental benefit and protects natural resources. Recycling metal is a win-win solution for businesses and the environment.

How Can I Start Metal Recycling at My Business?

Many industries generate significant amounts of industrial scrap. Electricians, plumbers, and construction companies produce all type of metal byproducts. Centralized heating units and air conditioners eventually wear out and need to be replaced. The outer shells of these units are usually made of copper, aluminum, or steel. Often, these byproducts are high-value recyclable materials. Metals like stainless steel, aluminum, and copper are most common metals used in manufacturing as well as many other industries. For example, the aerospace industry creates large quantities of leftover parts. Aluminum, steel, and titanium are commonly used in airplane manufacturing. Even the construction industry can become metal recyclers from demolition at construction sites.

There are several steps to take when starting a scrap metal recycling program at your manufacturing or industrial business. The first step is to understand the different types of metal you will be recycling. When contacting scrap metal yards, they will want to understand the different metals as well as the different grades of metals. You can make money by separating ferrous and nonferrous metals from non-ferrous metals. The next step is to find a local scrap yard.

Greenway Metal Recycling is a great place for industrial scrap metal recycling. We have over 50 years of experience in the scrap industry.  We are a full-service recycling facility and scrap metal dealer for commercial customers. We specialize in recovering scrap metal from manufacturers, construction companies, and other industrial and commercial enterprises. We offer competitive scrap metal prices and we pay our clients the next business day. If you are a commercial or industrial business, contact Greenway Metal Recycling for a free scrap audit.

 

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