3 Ways Scrap Metal Recycling Helps The Environment
If you have old belongings that you want to get rid of, be sure to stop by your local scrap yard. Scrap yards accept all sorts of metals, like iron and copper, for recycling. You can even get paid for your recycled metal depending on current industry prices and what types of metal you have. While metal recycling can certainly help you de-clutter and provide some monetary compensation, it's also incredibly helpful to the environment. Here are just three ways scrap metal recycling helps the environment.
It Prevents the Release of Gas Emissions
If people throw old metal items away, this metal ends up in landfills, where it releases methane gas as it absorbs the sun's heat. Methane gas is considered to be a greenhouse gas, like carbon dioxide, meaning that it heat's up earth's atmosphere and contributes to global warming. Don't let scrap metal end up in a landfill to release gas emissions. A scrap metal recycling company can safely dispose of metal that cannot be used.
It Protects Natural Resources and Habitats
If metal isn't recycled, then companies have to use mining methods to extract raw materials and ore. Mining methods, such as controlled explosives, can destroy habitats and leave dust particulates in the air. Mine tailings are mud-like waste materials leftover after valuable ore has been separated from unused rock. Mine tailings can contain chemicals like cyanide, heavy metals, and other hazardous waste. Mine tailings are typically separated from the natural environment, but slurry water form mining can seep into the groundwater and nearby rivers, where it can affect marine life.
While mining serves it's place in the supply chain, scrap recycling can reduce its prevalence and impact. Natural resources and habitats are conserved since scrap metal can act as a continuous resource and keep being remelted and reshaped. Old scrap metal can be used in appliances, electronics, airplanes cars, bridges, buildings, etc.
It Reduces Energy Consumption
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a lot of interesting facts about how recycling saves energy. For instance, aluminum can be recycled using 5% less energy than making an original product. Recycling steel and tin cans could save between 60% and 74% of energy used to make the same items form raw materials. Recycling saves energy since electricity, oil, etc. and other fuels aren't being used in manufacturing and transportation chains. As you can see, reducing this fuel consumption can affect many aspects of the environment and reduce society's overall carbon footprint.
Reach out to a scrap metal recycling service in your area today to learn more.
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