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How 5 different scrap metals are re-used

clip_image002[1]Metal is a very important material that is used in a wide variety of products. In a previous article we discussed 3 crucial benefits to recycling metal and in this article we will highlight what products can be created using recycled metal.

1. Copper

Copper is the most commonly sold metal because of its value. The material is an excellent conductor of electricity and is frequently used to create electrical wire, circuits, switches and electromagnets. Additionally, it is commonly used in plumbing for pipes and can be found in refrigerators and cookware.

2. Aluminium

Aluminium is a widely used material because it is a strong, flexible and light-weight material and compared to other metals it has a low melting point meaning it is easier to recycle. Recycled aluminium is used in several different products such as vehicles, building materials, packaging and high voltage electrical lines.

3. Tin

Tin is another highly valued form of metal that has many uses. One of the most common products made from tin is cans. These are made from a tinplate, a steel sheet with a thin layer of tin applied. Other uses of tin can be found in the mechanics of vehicles, springs and flat panel display screens such as plasma TV’s.

4. Lead

Recycled batteries are one of the main sources of lead. Lead can be recycled from a battery and used in a new battery but it is also used in X-ray machines for radiation protection.

5. Zinc

Zinc is a material that we come into contact with regularly because our £1 and £2 coins are partly made out of zinc. To protect steel and iron from corrosion a zinc based coating is applied in a process called galvanisation. Zinc is also used as an anode material in batteries and by alloying zinc and copper you can make brass.

If you are interested in selling any of your scrap metal for recycling, LSPS is one of Leicestershire's largest independent ferrous and non-ferrous metal recyclers. For more information on our scrap metal recycling services please click here or contact us on 0800 083 7807 to find out how we can help.

3 crucial benefits to recycling metal

clip_image002Presently, metal is one of the most widely used materials and the cost to our planet for mining these materials in their raw form is huge. Using recycled metal to produce new products not only reduces CO2 emissions, but also reduces the impact of mining on our natural environment and adds a significant boost to the UK’s economy.

1. Less greenhouse gas emissions

Simply put, it takes far less energy to melt and remanufacture scrap metal when compared to mining for raw materials. For example, aluminium can be melted at a relatively low temperature in order for it to be recycled. This process of recycling uses up to 95% less energy compared to extracting the raw material and the environmental benefits to recycling metal can be broken down even further. With steel production it is possible to reduce the amount of air pollution by 86%, water pollution can be up to 76% less and steel recycling process uses 40% less water.

2. It boosts the UK’s economy

In the UK, the metal manufacturing industry is one of the largest sectors and the UK is one of the largest exporters of scrap metal, with the export market continuing to grow. This means that scrap metal is rarely sent to landfill sites because recycled metal is a key component to the UK’s economy.

· Each year, approximately 2 billion aluminium and steel cans are recycled

· Roughly half of the UK’s recycled metal comes from end of life vehicles and the EU has set a target to recycle at least 85% of scrapped vehicles.

· Electrical waste is recycled as it uses a lot of non-ferrous metals

· The industry is also recycling materials from lead-acid vehicle and industrial batteries

3. A better natural environment

It goes without saying but the more the world recycles the less dependent we are on mining for raw materials. This results in reduced pollution, a better natural environment and less disruptions to our wildlife.

At LSPS one of our key aims is to reduce the amount of waste that ends up at landfill sites. We operate one of Leicestershire's largest independent ferrous and non-ferrous metal recyclers equipped with our own electronic 50 tonne weighbridge. For more information please click here or contact us on 0800 083 7807 to find out how we can help.

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