The concept of recycling has always existed but it has evolved during the years with the evolution of modern society. People started reusing their possessions due to the shortage of the resources and space, but also for economic reasons and, in recent years, for environmental purposes as well. All of these reasons have been expanded and some have been reprioritized, but they are all still relevant today.
Metal recycling offers numerous benefits for both the economy and the environment. By scrapping old metal items, everyone plays a part in making the world a better place. In particular, we believe there are 5 key reasons why you should recycle scrap metal.
1. Preserve Our Planet
The first and most important reason: metal recycling preserves natural resources by reducing the need to extract virgin raw materials and, as such, is effectively fighting climate change. Recycling scrap metal allows us to use less energy, which also means less greenhouse gas emissions. According to the EPA, “recycling steel and tin cans saves between 60 and 74 percent of the energy used to produce them from raw materials” and “recycling one aluminium beverage can save enough energy to run a 14 watt CFL bulb (60 watt incandescent equivalent) for 20 hours, a computer for 3 hours, or a TV for 2 hours”!1
2. Create and Support Job Opportunities
Scrap metal recycling is a labor-intensive industry. Recycling creates new jobs and supports other jobs by suppling the industry with goods and services such as equipment, energy, trucking etc. According to ISRI, in 2021, 159,640 jobs were directly supported by recycling and brokerage operations.
3. Support Manufacturing
By collecting and recycling scrap metal, and other materials, Sims Metal transforms waste into new resources that are reintroduced into production and manufactured into new products.
According to ISRI, 70% of materials processed by the recycling industry in the United States every year are used in American manufacturing!
4. Save and Earn Money
According to the Business Innovation Observatory, recycled materials are a cheaper and easier source for manufacturers and producers. By using recycled material in the production of metal goods both the costs of mining for virgin raw materials and the cost of production are reduced because producing goods from recycled sources is less energy intensive.2
Moreover, by selling scrap metal, derived from a manufacturing process, to a scrap metal recycler like Sims Metal, a company can profit from its own waste. Not just manufacturers, but any company and the general public that owns scrap metal waste (such as vehicles, copper or aluminium cables, machineries, jobsite scrap, and much more) can sell it to a scrap metal dealer and earn money!
5. Help Reach Your Company’s Sustainability Goals
Metal recycling helps companies satisfy the recycling industry standards and meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a “universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity”.
Scrap metal recyclers play a vital role in the recycling industry and in the circular economy. By collecting, sorting, recycling and shipping recycled products all over the world, we make the creation of new goods in the most sustainable way possible. We can’t make it happen without your help. Recycle your scrap metal to create a world without waste to preserve our planet with us.