How Does Metal Recycling Work?

Submitted by Bay Metal on Thu, 11/30/2017 - 12:33pm

Have you ever wondered what happens after you drop off your iron or copper scrap at a metal recycling facility? While the recycling process plays an important role in reducing waste and lowering manufacturing costs, not everyone understands how this is accomplished.

 

After scrap metal has been received, it is first organized by type. After all, it wouldn’t do to melt iron and silver together! Larger components might be cut into smaller pieces at this time as well. After the metals have all been separated and organized, they are then cleaned and melted down. Recycling specialists test the molten material to make sure it meets purity standards, and adjustments are sometimes made to the metal to improve its purity or to create a different alloy.

 

Once the metal has reached the desired chemical makeup, it is ready to be used for manufacturing. Some recycling facilities will manufacture slabs, ingots, and other components from the scrap metal. In some cases, the metal may be beaten into a powder. Because much of the refining and processing was taken care of when the metal was first manufactured, the entire process can be completed much more quickly, and with less energy waste.

 

Whether you have clunky old car parts or copper wire, the metal within these objects can be re-used and recycled, helping us conserve valuable resources and giving you the opportunity to make a little extra money.