Did you know Canada recycles enough steel yearly to power 2.7 million homes?
Industrial and household recycling is an essential part of the metal manufacturing process here in Canada and around the world. We use recycled metals to produce crucial everyday items, household essentials, and important infrastructure.
But how does the scrap metal recycling industry actually work? We've put together this guide to explain how we're helping drive responsible practices in metal recycling.
Read on for our full scrap metal recycling guide.
WHAT IS SCRAP METAL RECYCLING?
Scrap metal recycling refers to the process of collecting, cleaning, and repurposing metals into new products.
Unlike most materials, we can recycle steel again and again without losing its quality. That's why metal is the most recycled material on the planet.
Scrap metal recycling is good for business and good for the planet. It cuts production costs and decreases the overall impact on the environment. All kinds of products get a new purpose, from aluminum cans to totaled cars.
THE SCRAP METAL RECYCLING PROCESS
A lot of work goes into recycling metal products. Let's take a look at each stage of the scrap metal recycling process:
1. Collection
The first stage of the recycling process is to collect materials that have reached the end of their useful life. These metal products could come from residential recycling or a scrapyard.
The material is then transported to a recycling facility to begin production.
2. Sorting
Different metals get processed differently. Using several processes, including magnets and sorting conveyors, they separate the metals into types.
3. Preparation
Once the scrap metal has been sorted, it needs preparation for further processing. Recycling plants use machines to crush, shred, and compact the metal into manageable loads.
From here, the materials are sent to a special smelting facility like a foundry or mill.
4. Melting
Mills and foundries use large industrial furnaces to melt the metal and remove any impurities. When the metal turns molten, impurities like paint and dirt rise to the top and can be safely skimmed off. This ensures a high-quality product.
5. Solidifying
With the impurities removed, it's time to solidify the metal. Using molds, factories create the parts we need for hundreds of everyday uses, such as fixings, car parts, and metal fencing. Sometimes, recycled metal will be mixed with new metal.
6. Manufacturing
The finished parts can be redistributed into the market through manufacturers who use them to create consumer products.
When these products finish their useful life, they will reenter the recycling process.
BENEFITS OF SCRAP METAL RECYCLING
Scrap metal recycling is an essential part of industry all around the world. It saves costs for manufacturers, benefits the planet, and can even put some cash in the pockets of those who have metal to recycle.
Here at DBL Disposal Services, we're leading the charge in all aspects of waste management and recycling. Check out our services for everything you need to know.