Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling

Here are several of the greatest benefits of scrap metal recycling:

Recycling scrap metal touts numerous benefits, but perhaps the most significant is that it lessens the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. A greenhouse gas is any gaseous compound in the atmosphere that is capable of absorbing infrared radiation, thereby trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere. By increasing the heat in the atmosphere, greenhouse gases are responsible for the greenhouse effect, which ultimately leads to global warming. When new metal is produced from mined ore, it releases far greater amounts of greenhouse gas emissions than if recycled metal products were used. Not only do greenhouse gas emissions cause harmful levels of air pollution in cities, but emissions influence climate change.

Greenhouse gases have far-ranging environmental and health effects. They cause climate change by trapping heat, and they also contribute to respiratory disease from smog and air pollution. Extreme weather, food supply disruptions, and increased wildfires are other effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gases.

It Saves Energy

Manufacturing new products with virgin raw materials takes significantly more energy than it takes to manufacture them from recycled scrap metals. Recycling a single aluminum can, saves enough energy to power a 100-watt light bulb for almost four hours.

With such high energy savings, consumers get cheaper products while greenhouse emissions drop, a win-win.



It Saves Businesses Money

Recycling scrap metal also saves manufacturers money by allowing them to significantly reduce their production costs. Additionally, an active recycling program at your workplace will reduce the negative impact on the environment and will help save you money. It:

  • ✓ It helps reduce your disposal cost
  • ✓ Lowering the cost of hauling trash to disposal sites
  • ✓ Reduce the number of times your trash needs to be collected
  • ✓ You can sell some waste and make money
  • ✓ Lowers your need to buy new material


Keeps Metals and Metal By Products Out Of The Ocean

Heavy metals accumulate in the ocean due to increased industrial activity and disposing of waste products into waterways. Overall there is an increase of metals in our atmosphere which subsequently leads to an increase in ocean metal concentration. Sometimes weathering and erosion causes deteriorated metal components and their by-products from landfills to wash from the land into the sea, which then accumulates in and contaminates ocean-life.

It Creates Jobs

According to a report published by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the U.S. scrap recycling industry is a powerful economic engine that provides 531,510 jobs and generates nearly $13 billion in tax revenues per year nationwide.

Start Recycling Your Scrap Metal Today!

Nearly every kind of metal is recyclable. Do your part in helping the planet and earn money while you’re at it — visit our CM Recycling office today.