Uses For Recycled Scrap Metal

At Moffatt Scrap Iron & Metal Inc., we often get asked, “what can metal be recycled into?” Many of our customers want to know what will happen to their old, recyclable scrap metal — whether out of pure curiosity, or to ensure that their metal isn’t ending up in a landfill.

Recycled scrap metal can be turned into many different things, often depending on the type of metal. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most common uses for your recycled scrap metal:

Aluminum

One of the most commonly recycled metals we see is aluminum, because it is so widely used in cans and beverage containers. It’s also one of the most recyclable metals out there, and up to 75 percent of aluminum ever produced is still in use today. Aluminum can be recycled to make bicycles, airplane parts, new cans, siding, vehicle rims, and ductwork.

Copper

Copper is a strong and versatile metal, so it can be used and recycled time and again. Recycling copper uses up to 90 percent less energy than producing new copper, so recycling copper has a hugely positive impact on the environment. Copper can be recycled into plumbing, piping, electrical wire, roofing sheet, heat exchangers and other household and construction uses.

Brass

Brass, while often identified as a different type of metal, is actually a copper and zinc alloy. As a result, brass can be recycled into all of the same things as copper: plumbing piping, electrical wire, and more.

Lead

Lead is one of the most recycled materials in the world, surpassing even glass and newspaper It is also the most commonly recycled metal. Lead can be recycled indefinitely without losing any chemical or physical properties. Recycled lead can be used for lead-acid batteries, applications for building construction, radiation shielding for the healthcare industry, and more.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel can be found throughout our homes, and is 100% recyclable. Stainless steel can be used for several decades. Stainless steel can be recycled into kitchenware, appliances, medical equipment, or used for various applications in the construction or automotive industry.

Steel

Steel is widely used to make metal food cans, so you likely have a lot of steel cans in your home. Recycled steel can be used to make automotive parts, structural parts for construction, farm equipment, and appliances.

Many kinds of metals can be recycled over and over again without losing any of their chemical or physical properties. Every time a recycled items gets too old or used to be useful, it is turned into something new and the whole process begins again.

Why Is Metal Recycling Important?

The reasons for recycling your scrap metal are wide-ranging. Recycling your scrap metal can have huge environmental impacts. Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions, mining waste, and water usage that would have been required to produce new metals.

The metal recycling industry also contributes to your local economy, employing six times the number of jobs than would exist if you sent the metals to a landfill.

When you sell your scrap metal, you also reap the benefits, as you will get paid for your scrap metal — so it beats taking it to the dump or leaving it at the curb for collection.

If you’re ready to recycle those scrap metals you have lying around the house, visit us today or contact us for more details.