Different Types of Metal Objects that can be Recycled

The production of metal from its ore not only consumes a lot of energy but also emits an unimaginable amount of carbon into the troposphere. Fossil fuels like coal is burnt exorbitantly in order to produce enough energy to extract these minerals.

The time for taking our recycling efforts more seriously is here and it is crucial that we do away with the old and accept the new. Outdated metal disposal practices now need to be obliterated and replaced with improved methods of recycling scrap metal.

With the help of mobile scrap metal collectors in Surrey any company can hire people to have their scrap metal recycled the proper way. Sim Vic Scrap Metal Recycling is one such company which takes its recycling efforts quite reverently and is helping other companies do the same.

It is imperative that we all make an effort to educate ourselves on matters of recycling, starting with scrap metal.

What is Scrap Metal ?

In plain terms, scrap metal is a collection metallic waste material which has the potential of being separated, recycled and reused. There are dozens of different products that include metal in their production, and when these are disposed off, they are termed as scrap.

This scrap can be the result of both residential and commercial activities, and can carry tremendous monetary value as secondary raw material which can be smelted to form brand new products.

There are two types of metals that can be recycled from scrap :–

[A] Ferrous Metals :

These types of metals include iron and steel. They are identified as the metals that stick to a magnet. These metals are less valuable to recyclers due to their susceptibility to corrosion.

[B] Non-Ferrous Metals :

These types of metals include brass, zinc, magnesium, tin, copper, aluminum, nickel and lead. They do not stick to magnets and are of high value since they are non-corrosive in nature.

Different Metal Objects you can Recycle :-

Metal can be found in almost everything nowadays. From the everyday utensils in your kitchen to the rusting scrap cars in your local courtyard. These objects can be broken down and recycled by separating the metal from the rest.

Following is a list of items which can be identified  as scrap metal :-

[1] Wire Hangers :

They should not be dropped into your mixed recycling bin as this would cause an immense error at the Material Recovery Facility. All types of metallic hangars are dropped into a general waste bin and then sent to an energy recycling facility where the metal is separated from materials like polypropylene and polystyrene.

[2] Metallic Containers and Foils :

These include tin cans, foils and empty aerosols and can be put into a mixed recycling bin instead of a general waste bin. These are first sorted by machinery at a Materials Recovery facility, then later transported to a recycling station for extraction.

Different methods of extraction are implemented to separate the metals; magnets are used for ferrous metals while eddy currents are used for non-ferrous metals.

[3] Locks and Keys :

These type of objects do not belong in the recycling bin. Just like wire hangers, padlocks and keys should be disposed off in the general waste bin. These shall be separated at the energy recovery facility where the metal is extracted.

[4] Cookware :

Pots and Pans are not purely made of metal but rather a mixture of it. They are often coated in Teflon to give them their non-stick layer, which is why they do not belong in the recycling bin.

You can dispose it into your general waste, from where they will be taken to an ERF to purify the metal of all contaminants and the extracted via magnetism.

[5] Batteries :

Batteries are more difficult to recycle given that they are toxic, and a major fire hazard when leaking or damaged. These are exempted from your general waste and mixed recycle bin. Bulk used Batteries usually require a special recycling unit to have removed.

[6] Large Electric Appliances :

These refer to appliances like oven, fridges, air conditioners, photocopiers and freezers. They are collected in bulk from the waste dump facility and taken for scrap metal recycling. They are then segregated based on their quality and age, and then sent to the furnaces for recycling.

[7] Small Electric Appliances :

Referring to your household gadgets like phones, lamps, coffee makers, TVs and so on, they usually contain a combination of both rare and hazardous materials. Special recycling measures are reserved for these items as the recycling process is rather complex.

Metallic material is all around us but not all of it can be recycled the same way. It is imperative for people to be well aware of the aspect of metal recycling otherwise a major portion of possibly recyclable scrap metal is lost. Sim Vic Scrap Metal Recycling seeks to ensure our clients that we go the extra mile to properly recycle your scrap.

We also provide services like Demolition Metal Waste collection in Surrey, as an effort to extend our expertise in recycling scrap metal that accumulates at construction sites.