Metal recycling - what is it and what is it about?
Ecology
22 January 2023
Nowadays, with the climate crisis in the world, a lot of attention is being paid to environmentally friendly processes. One of these is recycling. By recycling metal waste, not only is the environment protected, but there are also large financial savings associated with the production of, for example, aluminium packaging. What is metal recycling?
Metal recycling - how does it happen?
Metal recycling can take place in several ways depending on the metal being recycled. The most common way is to recycle so-called non-ferrous metals, such as aluminium cans. In addition to aluminium, brass, zinc and tin are also included.
Recycling non-ferrous metals is a several-stage endeavour. First, the metals are crushed into small pieces and then any impurities are separated from them. Then comes the elimination of the paints placed on the metals. This is done by heating and burning the paints.
The colour-treated metal goes into furnaces, where it is melted down. Once it is in liquid form, it is cleaned once more to ensure that there are no mechanical impurities. After this, the raw material is again ready to be processed and made into packaging, for example. It is most often used to make ingots after final filtration.
The recycling of precious metals is also worth noting. Gold or silver, for example, is used in the electronics industry. When equipment is disposed of, it is very important to recover the precious raw materials as well. This is done, for example, by separating other metals from gold using magnets.
Metal recycling - why is it so important?
Recycling of non-ferrous, or non-ferrous, metals is very important, as it plays a huge role in the fight for environmental well-being. The extraction of new raw materials and their processing are a huge burden on the planet. When they are extracted from the ground, a large amount of greenhouse gases are produced which pollute the atmosphere. It is also a highly costly process.
Recycling makes it possible to significantly reduce the production costs of materials such as aluminium or copper. In addition, it does not contribute to interfering with the environment and does not require as much energy as extraction of raw materials from deposits.
What is produced from recycled metals?
Metal recycling - what is produced as a result of the process? The use of the material is very wide, as the recycled alloys go to customers in the form of new beverage cans or food packaging, among other things. In addition, they are used to make pipes, cables or insulation. Alloys can be used to make parts for aerospace machines or cars.
Precious metals used in the manufacture of, for example, computers after recovery are used to create jewellery products. There are even special jewellery companies that source old computer equipment and use the parts for gold rings or earrings. As you can see, recycled lead or iron waste has plenty of chances to gain a second life.
The process of recycling metals is one of the most important parts of the industry when it comes to doing something for the planet. When metals are melted down, they become reusable, which supports the principles of the circular economy. This means that all reusable raw materials should be in continuous circulation. It is therefore important to separate waste so that recyclable materials can be easily obtained.
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