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Environmental Benefits of Recycling Scrap Metal

With our planet’s health ever in question these days, at no other time has the value of recycling as much as possible been such a pertinent topic. Recycling has a lot of benefits, both for industry and, more importantly, for the environment. Scrap metals in particular benefit the environment heavily when recycled, and in this month’s article we’ll be highlighting exactly what those benefits are.

Conservation of Natural Resources

By recycling your scrap metal, you can help to conserve the natural resources of a range of materials. To create brand new metals, such as steel, new ores must be mined. This is an arduous process that harms the environment and depletes reserve deposits of metals unnecessarily.

Recycled scrap metal is melted down and the majority of it is used in the creation of new projects, virtually eliminating the need for new natural resources in the process.

Massive Energy Savings

Because with scrap metal you have a workable product already available, there is far less energy required to create new products than if you were to generate new, workable metals from scratch. The Environmental Protection Agency in the US estimates that recycling metal saves around 75% of the energy needed to make new metal. Conserving energy and using it more efficiently overall is key to protecting the environment in the long run.

Reduction in Pollution

Savings on energy and the reduction in mining fresh ores go hand in hand with a dramatic reduction in pollution when you recycle your metal. Pollution is the gravest threat to the environment, so any reduction in its creation is only ever good news.

Recycling scrap metal sees as much as an 85% reduction in air pollution, 76% in water pollution, and a staggering 105% in consumer waste (according to the EPA). Lower air pollution levels ensure that harmful greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, are less likely to trap heat in our atmosphere and contribute to global warming. Similarly, less consumer waste and water pollution ensures our oceans do not turn more acidic, which is harmful to aquatic life upon which we all depend.

By recycling your scrap metal, then, you stand to make a valuable contribution to the future of our planet. In addition, you may also benefit financially from deciding to recycle. Savings on mining, production and energy costs are one thing, but if you’re a small trader you could also make money by selling your scrap metal to a dedicated recycling facility. Previously, we have addressed how scrap metal is priced and what the most valuable scrap metals are to help in this regard. But if you’d like to discuss what recycling scrap metal involves further, feel free to contact Hill Metal Recycling now.

At Hill Metal Recycling we pride ourselves on the fact that we are the leading recycler of ferrous and non-ferrous metals throughout Harlow, Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas. We are widely qualified, experienced and also affiliated with the DVLA and the Environment Agency. As such, we are able to appropriately handle and dispose of all types of scrap metal.

We also offer a 24 hour scrap collection service, including cars, for commercial and some domestic needs. So, to discuss recycling your scrap metals, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team today!