The world you live in is built from metal. It is particularly true for Perth, also famous as the City of Light and Western Australia’s prime, most formidable city. Whether it’s the tin that stores your beverages, the steel reinforcing together the sky risers you work and live in, or the battery in the electrical devices, metal is a material that presents the humans an indisputable amount of applications and profits.
One of the utmost advantages of metal is its capability to be recycled, giving scrap metal an opportunity to live yet again in another form. Why not? It is now known that recycling single aluminium can save sufficient energy to power a TV at least for three hours. But the actual value can be noticed when considering that 850,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste were recovered by recycling in 2005 and 2006 in Western Australia only with steel adding to 31% of the impressive figure.
Scrap Metal Recycling in Australia
The recycling of metals contributes considerably to environmental and manufacturing health in Australia, making sure that public places are protected from disposal of trash that would otherwise have caused severe health risks for the society. As approximately every type of metal has the capacity to be recycled and reused, throwing it away is a direct involvement in the quantity of solid waste piling up and polluting the planet.
The utilization of scrap metal results in less mining and processing of natural resources, and hence, there is reduced manufacturing of new metal products. Based on the studies and experience in the treatment of metal waste, this metal recycling guide will help you superiorly understand how to deal with scrap materials at your place.
Identify the Type of Metal
The very first thing you have to do when recycling metal is to identify exactly what type of material you have. It is as easy as classifying between steel and aluminium that can be done with the use of magnet only. If it sticks to the material, it means you are working with a ferrous metal such as iron or steel. If it repels, it is a non-ferrous metal like aluminium, brass, bronze, or copper.
Here is a brief guide on recycling very common types of metals:
Tin
Contrary to popular conviction, tin cans are actually made up of 95% steel and just 5% tin. The tin component of the can is merely a thin layer on the external side, which works as a protective layer against rust. For recycling tin cans, firstly you must make it go through the electrolysis process to separate tin from the can- this is a caustic chemical solution that shreds the exterior. The tin matter is then collected and melted into a block or metal mould.
Steel
Now, you clearly know how to spot steel with a magnet, but you must also know about common recycling methods. It is advised to sell your steel scrap without destroying the exterior of the item, as you will get more money for materials left undamaged. Recycled steel can be used in numerous applications, often for manufacturing new parts for vehicles and boats.
Aluminium
Aluminium is found in different objects like gutters, window frames, doors, roofing, etc., but mostly used in beverage cans. It is a substance having well-known stretchability with a natural white-silver finish – sometimes painted. It requires 95% less energy than other metals for recycling- aluminium is most generally changed into small flakes through a process called ‘shredding’ before it is melted.
Copper
Most people can identify copper by its reddish colour when still in a realistic state, otherwise being a little darker and brown if worn out and even green when it undergoes corrosion. While it is commonly used for wiring, only superior copper can be recycled, converting the material into bricks or billets after melting.
When you are able to recognize the type of metal correctly, then you can easily contact a scrap yard for collecting it, and you can earn a good amount.
Recycling Facts in Australia
Now, when you have an idea about the importance of recycling, and you understand the types of scrap material, even if it’s one can of your drink, here are some more interesting facts about scrap metal recycling:
Metal recycling is beneficial for both local economies and environments as it generates more jobs and decreases greenhouse emissions.
When you recycle one tonne of steel, it saves more than one tonne of iron ore, 500kg of coal, and 18 kg of limestone.
Identifying what type of metal you have for recycling is as simple as using a magnet – if the metal attracts a magnet, then it is steel, and if it repels, it is aluminium.
Beverage cans are generally made from aluminium, while tin cans used for food are only 5% tin and the actual frame is of steel.
Recycling metal directly adds to the formation of new metal objects once the original things have reached the end of their lifespan.
Construction projects for the building of roads and bridges profit extensively from the recycling of scrap metals like iron and aluminium.
The transportation industry also uses various recycled metal for modified motorbikes, bicycles, cars, aeroplanes, and buses.
Scrap metals are used to manufacture items for storage and logistics of consumables across the world – numerous shipping containers are in fact made from recycled metal.
While many industries use scrap metal, the mining sector requires less consumption of natural resources, definitely impacting the environment as well.
Old aluminium has a lesser melting level than new aluminium, thus decreasing the quantity of energy required to recycle the material. When metal is recycled, it lowers the amount of carbon emission produced through transport, mining, and smelting.
Metal Merchants is a specialist scrap metal collector in Australia, with a scrap yard for a wide variety of metals and scrap metal recycling services. Check out the website for more information!
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