Are YOU recycling well enough?
About Me
Are YOU recycling well enough?

We all know by now that we should be recycling as much as possible--but are we using that principle to its full potential? As a lifelong green campaigner and environmental activist I'm passionate about recycling, and I've started this blog to talk a little more about all the little extras you can do. I'll be covering craft projects you can do with the kids, tips for starting and maintaining your own compost pile, ways to help your local recycling plant out with the way you put your rubbish in the recycling bin and tips for "upcycling" some of the things you throw away the most.

Categories

Are YOU recycling well enough?

What is the Process of Metal Recycling?

Katie Welch

You might have metal that needs to be disposed of, and you might be thinking about recycling it. After all, it's probably important to you to be sure that the metal is disposed of in a manner that is environmentally friendly. You might be curious about the steps that you will need to take when disposing of metal, and you might be curious about the steps that the metal recycling service will use after you sell your metal to them, too. These are some of the basic steps in the process of metal recycling.

Determining If It's Metal

First of all, you will need to make sure that the material that you are getting rid of is, in fact, metal. This can be done by simply looking at the appearance of the material in most cases, but there are also spark tests, magnet tests, and more that can be used. Someone from a metal recycling service can help you determine whether or not you are actually dealing with metal.

Sorting Different Types of Metals

Typically, when you are recycling metal, it's best for you to sort out the metal. At least, you should separate ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which you can identify with magnets. This can help you get paid the most for the metal that you're recycling, and it can make the recycling process easier for the metal recycling service, too.

"Cleaning" the Metal

"Cleaning" has to be done to the metal before it can be recycled. This involves removing rubber and other non-metal materials from the metal. If you do this before you recycle your metal, this can help you get paid more.

Transporting the Metal

Naturally, you'll need to get your metal to the metal recycling centre so that it can be recycled. If you have a truck or trailer, you may want to haul it yourself. There are also companies that offer metal recycling services that will pick up the metal from your property.

Having the Metal Weighed

When you take your metal to a metal recycling company, they will weigh it. Then, they will pay you for the metal based on how much it weighs and the type of metal that it is.

Processing the Metal

After you have dropped off your metal with a metal recycling company, they will process the metal to prepare it for the next steps of the metal recycling process.

Melting or Shredding the Metal

Typically, metal recycling companies either shred or melt metal so that it can be sold. After it has been shredded or melted, it will be put into sheets or blocks. Then, the metal will be sold to companies that will melt it down and reuse it to make items out of metal themselves. Reach out to a metal recycling centre to get started. 


Share