The process of recycling metal begins with a company collecting scrap metal and then breaking it down into individual metals. A metal refinery will then sort, refine, and prepare it for sale back in the metal market. Some of the frequently recycled metals include ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals such as tin, copper, lead, and aluminium.
It is important to know what kind of metal you are dealing with before you sell it. Scrap metal typically comes from cars, appliances, equipment, appliances, and other sources. Depending on what type of metal you have, you may be able to get a good price for it. You will be able to get the best price for your scrap metal by knowing how to identify it.
Here are reasons you should be looking into scrap metal recycling:
1. Lucrative Business
Any business that can help save resources and cut costs is worth considering. Many companies are jumping on the scrap metal recycling bandwagon because it’s a profitable business. Tin, zinc and lead recycling companies typically receive a premium price for their metal that is in demand.
2. Environmentally Friendly
Scrap metal recycling positively impacts the environment. Metal recycling helps to save money, but it also preserves natural resources. The metal market is projected to keep growing over the next several decades, likely due to increasing metal demand for green technology. Not only does the industry provide a viable way to earn a living, but it also helps support a sustainable future for everyone.
3. Preservation of Materials
Scrap metal recycling is essentially metal re-use. When an old product is no longer used, it can be broken down into its base components and used to create something else. Metal recycling also helps to preserve the availability of metals. Through the refining process, metal scrap is sorted and cleaned. The resultant metal can then be remade into new products that people use on a daily basis.
4. Cost-Efficiency
Metal scrap recycling is among the most cost-efficient industries to get involved in. As long as you have a good supply of metal waste, you’ll be able to generate cash quickly. This is why many establishments are optimising their waste practices to add another income stream to their cashflows.
Contrary to popular belief, The process of collecting and selling scrap metal is less labour intensive than the production of new metal. In addition, you don’t need to buy expensive equipment to get started.
5. Fast Turnover
Scrap metal recycling is fast, meaning you can earn cash fast. The recycling industry is also a good fit for anyone who wants to make money on the side or run a part-time business. Processing metal scrap recycling is much faster than mining or manufacturing new metal.
The fast turnaround is due to the fact that most scrap metals can be easily converted into saleable products. The turnaround time from the point of collection to the point of sale is generally less than a week.
The Scrap Metal Recycling Process
The scrap metal recycling process begins when an individual or company collects and transports scrap to a scrap yard or scrap processor. Scrap metal is either sorted manually or with the aid of machines. Metals are then cleaned and separated by type.
Different metals are forged into unique materials for various applications. Metals can either be resold or processed down further into specific metals. The process ends when the recycled metals are sold back to the market.
Here’s everything involved in the process:
1. Preparing
The first step in the scrap metal recycling process is to prepare the metal for sale. For you, the process begins with separating each part of the metal and removing any non-metallic pieces. Any hazardous materials are also removed. If a material is not suitable for recycling, it is usually sent to the landfill.
2. Collecting
Collect the scrap metal and transport it to the scrap dealer by truck or by ship. The scrap dealer may even offer to pick up the metal directly. This will all depend on your haul. Discuss your options with the scrapyard. They’ll be happy to help.
3. Sorting
Scrap yards use a combination of visual identification, magnets, electric currents, and spectrometers to separate different kinds of metals. They’re also responsible for dismantling products with mixed metals to obtain different metals.
4. Processing
A scrapyard arranges metal pieces into scrap metal masses of a particular size, weight, and shape. The scrapyard prepares the metal by torching the pieces, shredding the pieces, or bundling them into pre-sized bales. All of this processing is done according to the order received by the customer.
5. Melting & Refining
Melting and refining are the methods used to get rid of impurities. Melting allows impurities to float to the top of the mixture. Some metals need additional steps like electrolysis to work. This purifying process makes the scrap metal as good as it used to be.
6. Solidifying
Refining metal is a process that involves melting the metal and then cooling it to solidify it in the desired shape. It can be sheets, coils, bars, or other shapes. It is also possible to add chemicals to some metallic alloys to change their properties.
7. Manufacturing
After all the steps involved in collecting, inspecting, and transporting scrap metal, it finally goes to manufacturing facilities. Robotics, public works projects, the automobile industry, and the consumer goods sector are some of the most prominent industries that benefit from this type of recycling.
Conclusion
The industry of scrap metal recycling has been around for a long time, and its future is looking brighter. The recycling of scrap metal helps the environment, cuts costs for your monthly expenses and provides a lucrative income stream. For these reasons and more, more people are looking into scrap metal recycling as a primary or secondary source of income.
Give us your scrap metals for collection and recycling, and we’ll provide you with the most competitive prices in the market. If you’re looking for a skip hire in Cheshire dedicated to better waste management and a sustainable future, start earning money by sending your scrap metal to us today!
