Although most consumers in Connecticut only think about metal recycling as it applies to aluminum cans, most metals are recyclable. Even if they aren’t professional scrappers looking to make a ton of money off of hauling junk metal, average consumers can still do their part. Read on to find out about the benefits of scrap metal Recycling CT residents can all help to support.
Conserve Resources
The most obvious benefit of recycling scrap metal is that it lessens the need for resource-intensive mining and processing operations. Recycling just one ton of steel can conserve over 2,500 lbs of iron, 1,400 lbs of coal, and 120 lbs of limestone and if everyone recycles their scrap metal, those numbers can add up fast.
Save Energy
It takes much less energy to recycle scrap metal than it does to mine and process new, raw materials. The recycled metals have already been processed, which makes it much easier to process them again so that manufacturers can use them to create new products.
Don’t believe the energy savings are that substantial? The numbers speak for themselves. Recycling aluminum saves 92% of the energy required for mining and processing virgin ore, and recycling copper saves up to 90%.
Contribute to the Economy
While many metals must be mined abroad, the recycling industry employs U.S. citizens and generates around $50 per year for the U.S. economy. After processing, these raw materials can be used domestically or sold abroad for manufacturing.
In 2013, the U.S. exported around 34 million metric tons of recycled metal. This contributed around $24 billion to the nation’s trade balances. It also supported over 152,000 jobs across the country that would otherwise be lost.
The Bottom Line
While it’s true that it takes a little extra effort to go through the process of scrap metal Recycling CT residents, have more to gain by doing so than just making a few dollars at the scrap yard. They can also help the planet and the domestic economy.
Consumers who want to do their part but don’t know how can check out Business Name to learn more about local scrap metal recycling practices.
