One of the best ways to conserve the environment is through scrap metal recycling. However, not everyone with access to scrap understands the importance of recycling it. Often, people only do it when they need to clear space on their property and give out the pieces to junk removal companies. Learn what happens when you do not recycle your scrap metal because it might help you make the right decision.
Unrecycled Scrap Fills up the Landfills
One of the issues arising when you do not recycle your scrap is that it fills up the landfills. Metal takes a long time to break down. Sometimes, it might take decades and even longer. If people aren't serious in their efforts to recycle, the landfills might fill up within a few decades. Establishing new ones increases the total land area going to the garbage disposal. By recycling, you lengthen the time that these landfills remain functional.
Unrecycled Scrap Is a Wasted Resource
It is also crucial to note that unrecycled scrap wastes resources. The scrap metal comes from ore, which is a limited natural resource. If the resource gets mismanaged, it gets depleted faster than it should. As a result, people will put excessive pressure on the environment trying to discover copper mines. Recycling is the ideal way to ensure the remaining ore remains in the ground and the already mined metal gets its way back into the market.
Failure to Recycle Increases Pollution
Failure to recycle your scrap also leads to environmental pollution. You experience various forms of contamination when you do not recycle. These include the excessive dumping of the garbage in your landfills. The excessive use of fossil fuels for mining also depletes the ozone layer. When you recycle scrap metal, you reduce the chances of greenhouse gases ruining the ozone. You also reduce the chances of harmful gases like mercury finding their way into the surrounding soil and hurting the ecosystem.
New Metal Is Expensive
The cost of manufacturing metal from ore is higher than recycling what you already have. However, when you recycle, you cut most of the production costs. Consequently, the value of recycled scrap in the market is lower than freshly mined metal, yet the quality is almost the same.
The benefits of recycling are countless. Speak to scrap collection and recycling pros and find out your options. If you recycle well, it will give you the best value for your money.
Contact a local scrap recycling service to learn more.
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