Virtually all types of metals can be recycled into new metal that can be used to make new products. Recycling metals protect the environment and saves on energy consumption. Using second-hand raw materials means that less natural resources are being depleted such as iron ore for steel production, nickel for making stainless steel and alumina for making aluminum. There is only so much metal available on earth and the more we strip the ground of these natural resources, the more scarce and valuable these metals will become.
C02 emissions are also reduced dramatically with metal recycling. For example, when new aluminum is made using recycled metals it results in an energy savings of 95 percent. Copper made from recycled metals saves 85% in energy consumption while steel produced from recycled metals adds up to 70 percent energy savings. Take an average aluminum can that has been placed in a recycling bin for another example. Recycling this single can saves enough energy to run an average computer or three hours a day. The recycled can will be returned to a store shelf as a new can in as little as 3 months after it was placed in the bin. Recycling one ton of cans made of aluminum saves 37 barrels of oil and we all know that oil is a commodity that is becoming more and more expensive with time.
It requires much less energy to melt down waste metal and have it recycled that it does to make new metal. Recycling metal also means that there is a decreased need to mine for raw materials which saves our planet’s natural resources. Although the majority of earth’s metal is being used by industries, it is still important for consumers to recycle cans and unwanted metal so that it does not end up filling landfills.
