3 Reasons Why Scrap Metal Is Biodegradable

 By definition, a biodegradable object is anything that can be decomposed by living organisms to help avoid pollution. Scrap metal in Windsor Richmond is one of those materials that keep filling the landfill sites, some of them are even toxic to the environment such as heavy metals, mercury, and lead.  

Scrap metal is not biodegradable, which means it cannot be decomposed by living organisms. It would take several decades or even centuries for a small amount of metal to degenerate. Therefore, it is becoming a major source of land pollution.  

But even though the scrap metal is non-biodegradable, it can be recycled over and over again without losing any of its properties. This means, no metal should have to go to waste or be a source of land pollution. 

What Are The Benefits Of Recycling Scrap Metal? 

Recycling scrap metal is beneficial for the environment as the land space does not become polluted and the soil and water are saved from toxic metals such as lead that can leach out the nutrients from the soil and also cause serious damage to the water species. 

Apart from this, there are numerous other advantages of recycling scrap metal in Windsor Richmond. Let’s look at all of them below. 

1. Conservation Of Environment and Natural Resources 

All of us know that if we do not recycle metal there would be a constant need to mine new virgin ores to meet the needs of several different industries that use metal. Now, mining is done by digging large holes into a land that could otherwise be home to several plant species and forests.  

If the scrap metal gets recycled then these large plant and animal habitats could be conserved. In addition, the finite virgin ore resources could be saved from depletion as well. 

2. Lesser Air Pollution and Energy Conservation 

Recycling metals is far more energy-efficient than, mining new metal ores. For example, check out this stat: 

“Recycling aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing one from raw materials” 

And, “Recycling steel scraps takes 75% less energy than steel production” 

Also, for aluminum, there is 97% lesser greenhouse gas emission during the primary production process. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas that comes out of the processes involving the extraction of pure metal from its raw materials and is an air pollutant. Recycling only a ton of aluminum could potentially save 9 tons of Carbon dioxide emission, and 4 tons of bauxite (the raw material through which aluminum is extracted) 

We recycle scrap metal in Windsor Richmond to play our part in conserving the environment. 

 

 

3. Benefits To The Economy 

Apart from the conservational benefits, scrap metal recycling advantages the economy. Scrap metal recycling creates several jobs compared to when the metal is just dumped or incinerated. The employment fields created from scrap metal recycling are: 

• The scrap metal collection. 

• Assorting, Segregating, and removing impurities. 

• Recycling the scrap metal. 

• Transportation. 

• Remodeling the metal to suit different industrial needs.  

Recycling also benefits the consumer in the long run. As the recycled metal is purchased at low prices by the manufacturers, the end product turns out to be cheaper. 

Why Do Companies Like Us Recycle Scrap Metal? 

Scrap metal recycling is as necessary as recycling any other non-biodegradable waste like plastic, and glass. Although plastic and metal are biodegradable to some extent, they take centuries to decompose. It is imperative that an action is taken against the massive pollution they cause. 

Additionally, as you’ve seen above, there are many other advantages to scrap metal recycling as well. 

What Scrap Metals Can Be Recycled? 

You can recycle about any and every type of scrap metal. Be it ferrous, like stainless steel, cast iron, wrought iron, or non-ferrous like gold, silver, copper, aluminum, brass, zinc, and nickel. And the best part about metal recycling is that it can be 100% recycled and used again. There is absolutely zero wastage.  

Among the most recycled metals around the world is steel. The recycling rates of steel in Australia are pretty high, reaching 80-90% according to  cityservices.act.gov.au.  

What Are Some Scrap Metals That Cannot Be Recycled? 

While you might think all kinds of scraps are recyclable, this isn’t the case. There are some cases where the metal cannot be recycled, which are: 

• When the metal cans or containers have traces of paint on them 

• Anything containing mercury 

• Empty cans of motor oil 

• Propane gas tanks 

• Radioactive metals 

All of the above-mentioned pieces of scraps cannot be recycled. 

What Should You Do to Conserve the Environment? 

Play your part and dispose of all the metal scrap safely in a scrap yard, so it can be recycled. This will reduce the amount of solid scrap metal lying in the landfill sites. This will also conserve energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Which in turn will make the air quality better.  

Where To Sell Scrap Metal in Windsor Richmond? 

Looking to sell scrap metal to make some extra bucks or conserve the environment? Sell your scrap metal at Metal Merchants in Windsor Richmond. We also provide pick-up in case you can’t drop your scrap over. Give us a call now and get a free quote for your scrap!