Scrap metal recycling provides many benefits. residents can make a decent amount of money recycling an old car, copper wire & piping, or other scrap metal that they can find. But it is also environmentally beneficial. As you know there are two types of resources; renewable and non-renewable. As we continue to use up our non-renewable resources, it becomes more and more important for us to find ways to reuse and recycle them instead of trashing them. 

Metals Are Non-Renewable

Metal is a non-renewable resource, or at least the raw materials like tin, zinc, and copper that are used to make metal are all non-renewable. We have been mining for these materials for millennia. Compared to oil, we have been removing earth’s metal resources for much longer. And some researchers believe we could fully deplete our earth’s metal resources in 10 to 75 years. That range has frightened many as we are not completely sure how long we will be able to mine new resources. It is extremely dependent on the actions we take now. 

The Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling

Even if we can no longer get new metal in 70 years, we can still use the metal we already have made. Existing metals like the aluminum you get from soda cans can easily be recycled and reused. In fact, it takes 95% less energy to smelt recycled metal into a new product than it does to refine, process, and smelt new metal. Repurposing any material takes less energy than creating a new material altogether. 

Recycling And Greenhouse Gases

Greenhouse gases are a group of different compounds that trap heat in our atmosphere. They are at the heart of global warming and an increase in these gases over the last century has greatly impacted our climate. Recycling unwanted metal can help reduce the amount of raw metal we need. Extraction of fossil fuels and non-renewable resources is greatly increasing the presence of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. 

Making Money & Protecting the Planet with Scrap Metal Recycling 

Recycling scrap metal is an effective way to make some quick cash and also help the planet; it is a complete win-win. You can find scrap metal in a variety of places. Old vehicles and appliances around your home are a great place to start when looking for scrap metal to recycle.

Recycle your Metal at Second Street Iron & Metal

If you are looking to recycle some scrap metal, consider coming down to Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, Massachusetts. Our team would be happy to pay you for your scrap metal.