What is Scrap Metal Recycled Into?

Recycling is important, as most people already know. However, if you’ve ever gotten rid of a piece of metal in a recycling bin or a skip that will eventually recycle it, you may wonder how it all works. What is the process and what will the metal become?

Why We Recycle Metal

Digging out metal ore and processing it to create the pure metal that we need is costly both in money and in the environment. It’s far better to simply reprocess metal scrap and use it again. The carbon footprint for recycling is much lower than processing virgin ore, so it’s well worth doing.

Most types of metal can be recycled. However, in the UK, the vast majority of the recycling is done on iron and steel. These can be reused over and over again without losing their properties.

How Metal is Recycled

The actual recycling process is fairly simple. The scrap metal is sorted to ensure the same types of metal are processed together. It’s then melted in a high-temperature furnace and the molten metal is then purified, removing contaminants with electrolysis.

At first, the metal is poured into moulds to make metal ingots. These are then taken to the next factory where they can be turned into an actual product.

What is Recycled Metal Used for?

Wondering how those ingots are used? It depends on the metal. Many metals are used in vehicles. In fact, roughly 25% of cars use recycled metal parts and that will likely increase in the future.



Steel

Steel is frequently melted down and turned into industrial containers, ductwork, plumbing parts, and automobile parts. It can also be used to create new appliances and even food packages. Train tracks are often created from recycled steel, as it tends to be stronger and longer-lasting.

Iron

This metal tends to be turned into rebar and other construction products to help with road and bridge-building. It may also be used in creating parts for cars. However, the vast majority of this metal goes toward buildings that are under construction and road works.

Aluminium

This lightweight metal is recycled into beverage cans, tins for food packaging, and aeroplane parts. It may also be used to create art or furniture, including tables, chairs, and decorations such as wall clocks.

Copper

Softer than other metals, copper is very conductive, so most of it is used in energy-related uses, usually as wire to generate and transmit energy. You’ll also find it in electronics, which are put into appliances or vehicles, including satellite navigation systems.

Recycling metal is something everyone needs to do and waste disposal companies like Broughshire make this much easier to do.