4 Types of Metal that can be Recycled with Ease

Recycling has caught on in a major way in the USA and even more so here in the Greater Phoenix region.  Many know about the benefits of recycling and have started putting it into action in some respect or another.  Have you ever been annoyed with your overflowing recycling bin and stood there wondering what to do next? Have no fear, because we have a suggestion to help you take your recycling game to the next level.  OERC is here to help with commercial metal recycling needs for those in Arizona!

Now more than ever, metal is one of the most highly recycled materials. Business owners, project managers, and the general public alike can take advantage of the many types of metal that can be recycled with relative ease! From aluminum cans to copper wiring – read on for a rundown on 4 different kinds of metals that are capable of making an impactful contribution to our environment.

Recycling metal is an effective way to reduce waste and help the planet. From aluminum cans to electronic components, there are more than 100 types of metals that can be recycled! By understanding what materials count as metals and how recycling them benefits our environment, we have a unique opportunity to make a real difference in preserving resources for future generations.

Aluminum Tops The Metal Recycling List For Several Reasons

Aluminum is one of the most remarkable metals in terms of sustainability, as it can be endlessly recycled without losing any quality. From melting down used aluminum to make new items or breaking it into powder for fresh casting opportunities - a slew of possibilities exist when recycling this metal! With its versatile recyclable qualities and minimal environmental impact, choosing aluminum is an easy way to promote waste reduction and protect our planet.

Aluminum is a remarkable metal: rather than naturally occurring in its pure form, aluminum must be separated from oxygen by an electrical current during the smelting process. This creates alumina – an extremely hard material choice for manufacturers around the world due to its durable strength and low-weight quality. Even with all this effort involved though, it takes far less energy to separate aluminum than almost any other common metal.

Aluminum recycling allows us to turn discarded cans into valuable resources. Consumers take their used aluminum containers to scrap metal collection facilities, and the process continues from there! At Ferrous Processing & Trading, leftover aluminum is sorted for reuse or sent off for shredding - transforming it into molten ingots ready for remolding. These newly formed sheets can be crafted again as recycled products like new drink cans that are eventually brought back full circle in a never-ending cycle of sustainability.

Steel Tops The Charts in Metal Recycling

Steel is an incredibly sustainable material, with the ability to be recycled over and over again without reducing its quality. It's no surprise then that it truly leads in the recycling stakes - almost 98% of all steel inputs are actually post-consumer waste! There exist two primary types: hot rolled (generally scrap metal) and cold rolled (thin sheets). The way forward is to reuse rather than throw away; either by melting down existing steel or manufacturing it into everyday products such as cars or appliances. This incredible circular economy saw virtually 81 million tons diverted from landfill last year alone – a powerful reminder for us all about how we might better care for our planet’s resources going forwards.

Steel dominates the scrap metal recycling industry and is a powerful example of how our resources can be reused. It's estimated that nearly all steel products are made with some recycled material, making it an incredibly efficient resource to repurpose: 60% less energy is required than when using iron ore! With so much available from vehicles, appliances, and torn-down buildings & bridges - as well as ferrous metal recyclers across America - there’s no shortage of potential for us to make use of this remarkable substance in more sustainable ways.

Like Aluminum, steel cans can be recycled! Once collected from our homes, metal recycling centers, and waste-to-energy plants, these materials get sent to scrap processors for reuse. Repurposing used steel is a great way to reduce wastage and save the environment.

Recycled steel is a remarkably dynamic resource, transforming from its original form into an incredible variety of products. Products made with recycled steel range from automotive parts to construction materials and even food cans! Steel items found in the United States typically contain at least 25 percent reused content – some even include almost exclusively repurposed material.

Copper is Worth a Pretty Penny

Copper is a natural asset that can be reused and repurposed. Its thermal conductivity makes it an ideal choice for wiring, but its recyclable qualities are just as remarkable - by melting copper down and re-forming it into new products we reduce and still enjoy the benefits of this versatile metal!

When recycling copper the biggest thing to know is the grade makes all the difference. 

Here’s what to know:

#1 insulated wire is comprised of pure, unprocessed copper cables and wires. If the insulation were to be stripped away from it, what would remain are bright shiny strands with a 16-gauge thickness – perfect for any creative project or craft that requires electrical wiring!

#2 insulated wire is a must-have for your home electronics set up. Featuring unalloyed copper grade, it's thinner than 16 gauge and complete with heavy plastic or double insulation to keep you safe from potential damages. With its standard grading used in most telecommunication wiring and electronic projects like extension codes this versatile product can be customized further by adding various coatings such as nickel corrosion on the copper wire that meets classification requirements even better!

Bare bright copper, is something scrap dealers prize! This is an uncoated and untarnished 16 gauge wire or cable. It's a highly desirable grade of scrap metal due to its superior quality - no paint or impurities apart from the pure copper piping!

#1 Copper is the perfect material for scrap collectors who are looking to pocket a profit. The wire must boast an impressive diameter of at least 1/16th inch and be free from any coatings or alloys, giving it that glowing sheen. If you're able to source clean copper tubing then this too would qualify as #1 grade - just make sure the fittings, paint and solder have been removed first!