| Worldwide metal production is ascertained directly | | | | is used, discarded, and then the metal is used again. |
| through ore deposits from mining, smelting, and | | | | It just makes ecological sense - it's using the earth in |
| refining. What are secondary metals? They are | | | | a smart way. With recycling, there is a huge amount |
| metals discarded through industrial and manufacturing | | | | of metals in use that will be recoverable at some |
| operations or as commercial products that are now | | | | future point. |
| obsolete. The benefit that recycling provides is that | | | | Aluminum recycling is a large portion of the scrap |
| we return these waste materials back into the | | | | metals industry. In 1993, in a survey of Western |
| general manufacturing so they can be used for the | | | | countries, 28 percent of the total recycled scrap |
| production of new metal products, thus saving costs | | | | materials were made up by aluminum. The others |
| and making things more efficient in general. The | | | | that were a significant part of the total included |
| secondary metals industry is involved in all aspects of | | | | copper, lead, molybdenum, tin, and zinc. |
| this process, from locating scrap, to getting it to a | | | | Scrap recycling is the process of recovering |
| recycle facility and then re-using the material for new | | | | secondary metals, and is subdivided into three |
| metal-based products. | | | | different classes of metals. They are: |
| What's the rationale for determining if scrap metal is | | | | - Home scrap : This is what remains after a primary |
| worth recovering? Its potential for profit. In terms of | | | | metal product is sold and is generated in a smelting or |
| the basic factors that determine if a particular metal | | | | refining plant. |
| should be recycled, the following areas are looked at: | | | | - New or prompt scrap : This type of scrap can |
| - How pure are the recovered products, what's the | | | | easily be reprocessed for use in primary metal |
| market for the recycled products like, and what is | | | | manufacturing, it is essentially the remains of the |
| the true dollar value of the metal? | | | | general manufacturing process. |
| - How much will it cost to collect and transport? | | | | - Old scrap : This is the type of recycling that we are |
| - How much will it cost to sort and transform it into | | | | most familiar with. Old scrap is recovered from |
| reusable metal? | | | | consumer goods that are no longer being used. This |
| - How much will it cost to dispose of any residual | | | | could potentially include discarded, used, or worn-out |
| material? | | | | products. Also could include metal products rendered |
| The advent of the industrial revolution in the late 19 | | | | obsolete by technological advances or production |
| th and early 20 th centuries fueled the consumption | | | | overruns. |
| of metals significantly. During the 20th century, this | | | | In terms of product applications, metals are rarely |
| trend continued and grew exponentially. By the | | | | used in their pure and absolute form. It's also tough |
| 1980's, the annual production of metals worldwide | | | | and expensive to remove alloy elements from |
| was a hundred times what it was in the 1880's. | | | | metals, so usually the alloyed materials are recycled |
| Naturally, this incredible rise in need for metals and | | | | as alloyed metals only. The various metals that make |
| the production of metal-based products has led many | | | | up the alloyed metal are not taken out to be used in |
| people to question if there is enough metal reserves | | | | their pure state. |
| in the world to keep up with demand. Is it | | | | Scrap metal recycling makes economic sense. It also |
| sustainable? Is there an unending amount of metals in | | | | shows our responsibility to the earth and to the |
| the earth? No, on both accounts. Scrap metal | | | | efficient use of our precious natural resources. If |
| recycling is a natural part of the chain of use. Metal | | | | there's one positive thing that is happening in this |
| reserves are found, they are made into a usable | | | | area, it's that the trend to recycle more continues. |
| form, a product is manufactured from it, the product | | | | |