Scrap Metal

Recycling has never been more critical to our society as is it today. Many industries strive to meet goals of cost reduction, reduced landfill utilization, and efficient management of limited resources. We have become accustomed to hearing the three R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle). These three R’s are used for objects like papers, plastics, bottles, cans, and cardboard; however many people are unaware that you can recycle metal as well. Recycling metal can reduce pollution, save more resources, prevent the destruction of habitats from mining for new ore, and reduce waste going to landfills. There are plenty more benefits of recycling metal that most people are unaware of. Here’s what are recycled metals used for and the benefits that you may not know.

Benefits of Recycling Metal

Environmental Benefits

These environmental benefits of recycling metal may shock you. Recycling metal conserves natural resources by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and utilizes less energy than making metal from virgin ore. The production of creating new metals release a greater amount of greenhouse gas emissions compared making products from metal that was recycled. Emissions like these can directly affect climate change as well as levels of air pollution in cities. This can result in potential respiratory health issues for many. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) has reported that recycling metals can cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300 million to 500 million tons.

Energy Conservation

The total amount of energy saved using recycled metal compared to virgin ore is:

  • 92% for aluminum

  • 90% for copper

  • 56% for steel

According to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency,  a person can help conserve enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for four to five hours by recycling one aluminum can!

Economic Benefits

The economic benefits of recycling metal are staggering. It can create 36 times more jobs than sending the amount of metallic waste in an incinerator, and about six times more jobs than sending waste to a landfill, according to the Nation Institute of Health (NIH). The National Recycling Coalition claims the recycling industry generates an average of $236 billion annually and has employed over one million workers.

Did You Know: Fun Facts

  • Every three months, people throw away enough aluminum to entirely rebuild all commercial aircrafts in America.

  • It takes around 400 years for aluminum to naturally break down.

  • Recycling 10 pounds of aluminum cans can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 16 pounds.

Source: Red Fish Recycling

  • Nonferrous metals like aluminum, lead, copper, tin, nickel, and zinc do not degrade or lose physical or chemical properties during the recycling process.

  • Steel is the most recycled material worldwide. In the U.S, more than 55% of all domestically processed steel is recycled.

  • The scrap metal industry transforms over 130 million metric tons of outdated material into useful raw materials every year.

Source: Schupan

 

Montella Inc: Your Metal Recycling Solution

If you’re looking for a reliable source for your metal recycling tasks, Montella Inc. is the best option in the New Jersey area. Our scrap metal recycling NJ services will drop off and pick up the dumpster and will pay you top dollar for your scraps! Contact us today for more information.