Almost all types of metals can be recycled into new metal which you can use 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 in making stainless steel and alumina in 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 will also be 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 results in 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 operate an average computer or three hours a day. The recycled can will be returned to a store shelf as a new can in as low as 3 months after it was put in the bin. Recycling one ton of cans made from aluminum saves 37 barrels of oil and everyone knows that oil is a commodity that is becoming more and more expensive eventually.
It requires much less energy to melt down waste metal and also have it recycled that it will to make new metal. Recycling metal also means that there is a reduced need to mine for garbage which saves our planet’s natural resources. Although the most of earth’s metal is being employed by industries, it is still essential for consumers to recycle cans and unwanted metal such that it does not end up filling landfills.