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Once we toss out the metal items we don’t use anymore, we don’t really think twice about what happens to them. When these metals aren’t recycled, they usually end up in landfills. But have you ever wondered what happens to them? They don’t just stay there; they don’t disappear. Instead, landfills have the potential to be environmental contamination sources, contaminating soil, water, air, and other natural environments.
Contrary to popular belief, metals are not able to degrade in nature; that’s why you will see gold and other metals there even after years of staying inside the soil. However, they have an ability to rust. Metals should, therefore, never end up in landfills and instead, should be taken care by a reliable scrap metal buyer.
Because some metals are more commonly found than others, it is not surprising to learn that certain metals are more dangerous than others in terms of distribution. Since we discard a lot of electronic devices without giving them a second thought, lead is very prevalent. Another very common one is mercury. Mercury is commonly found due to the inappropriate removal of thermometers, batteries, tubes, and lamps, among other measurement and control equipment. When the toxins from these metals are released into the air, the results are detrimental for soil, air, and water sources, as well as our health.
The quality of the soil is greatly impacted by metal pollution. The growth of plants and ecosystems can be harmed by excessive concentrations of heavy metals like lead. Unfortunately, the penetration of these metals into soil means that we will be in direct contact with the toxins at some point by either consuming the goods that grow in that soil or being directly in contact with them.
Just like the soil, the water sources are also targets for these dangerous substances. When heavy metals seep into water reservoirs, pollution of groundwater occurs. Unfortunately, this is very dangerous on many different levels. Firstly, the drinking water reservoirs also get contaminated as a result of these, and as we drink the water from these sources, we will be in contact with these toxins. Also, this water will greatly harm the species living in different bodies of water and cause their extinction.
Similar to water and soil, air pollution is also very common, especially with lead and mercury, which release their particles directly into the air. Unfortunately, when heavy metals get inside your body, they can harm your kidneys, liver, and brain. So, to prevent these metals from poisoning landfills, it is crucial to recycle your old metal items instead of just throwing them into the trash or leaving them in landfills. Scrap metal recycling is one of the good ways to help the environment.
If you're considering scrapping your old metal items and decide to choose the professionals at M&M Recycling, you are getting ready for a hassle-free and fulfilling experience. As a dependable scrap metal company, we give utmost importance to dependability and efficiency, and we offer great rates for your metal items. With great care and expertise, our knowledgeable team makes sure that every step is completed in a way that best suits your needs and makes the process simple for you. For more information about us, give us a call right now.
