what-is-scrap-metal

What is scrap metal?

 

Scrap metal is exactly as the name suggests, a metal that has been scrapped! This could be any form of waste metal or metallic material with the purpose of being recycled into something new. Whether it’s scrap metal from vehicle parts, or building supplies of surplus project materials, metal is always worth being turned into something else, that serves a better purpose. 

 

Scrap metal can come from both commercial and residential settings, whether it be ferrous or not ferrous metal, it will be smelted in order for the raw material to be transformed into something brand new.

 

These types of metal are more than worth putting to better use than simply letting them go to landfill. Metal can be reused for many different purposes, whether that be electrical equipment, plumbing equipment, vehicle parts or even coffee cans! Your old metal can be given a whole new life! 

 

Unfortunately, metal isn’t widely known as something to properly recycle. A lot of people aren’t educated on the subject and will simply toss their scrap metal in the dump.

 

Get in touch with us at Wasteaway today to learn more about how we can help you to recycle your old scrap metal. Let’s help our environment one step at a time.

 

How to determine whether a metal is non-ferrous or ferrous

 

Before recycling any metal, you need to make sure that you know what type of metal it is. Ferrous metal is a type of metal that contains iron, non-ferrous metal is, as presumed, a metal that does not contain iron. 

 

You can determine whether a metal is ferrous or non-ferrous by using a magnet. If the magnet sticks to your metal, it is a ferrous metal, if the metal does not stick to the magnet, it is a non-ferrous metal. 

 

The most valuable metals for scrapping are non-ferrous. This is because they tend to be more resistant to corrosion, some examples are copper, brass, aluminium, zinc, magnesium, tin, lead and nickel. 

 

The most valuable non-ferrous metals for recycling

 

  • Brass – This metal is commonly found on door handles, light fittings, keys and plumbing fixtures. It gains its value because although it is common, it is very in demand. 
  • Aluminium – Also found all over the house, this metal is often used for empty drinks and food tins. This metal can also be found in guttering, siding, internal and external window frames and more. Recycling aluminium saves 80% of the energy that was originally used to create it originally. 
  • Copper – This metal is always in demand and is another metal commonly found around the house. This metal is versatile, so if often used for plumbing pipes, roofing materials and even common electrical wires. 

 

Why recycle with Wasteaway?

 

We all need to make more efforts to recycle regularly – it protects our environment and saves on energy. Reusing old materials eliminates the purpose of using natural resources which would ordinarily be used to create new metals. In addition, savings in energy and reduced CO2 emissions can be made when recycling metals. 

Get in touch with us at Wasteaway today to learn more about how we can help you to recycle your old scrap metal. Let’s help our environment one step at a time.

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