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Behind the rusted panels and stripped wires of a garage or construction site lies a valuable second life. M&M Recycling knows better than anyone that the story of scrap metal doesn’t have to end at the landfill. Metal is one of the most reused materials on Earth. From soda cans that wind up in spacecraft to copper wiring that powers wind farms, the journey that recycled metals take can be very interesting. Keep reading to find out about the most commonly recycled metals and where they might end up next.
Aluminum is one of the most recycled metals on the planet, largely because it’s used in everyday products like foil, cookware, and beverage cans. It’s also lightweight, non-corrosive, and infinitely recyclable. What happens after someone tosses a can into the recycling bin? That same can is melted down and reused in high-performance industries. Recycled aluminum is frequently used in airplane parts, satellite components, and spacecraft. It doesn’t lose strength during the recycling process, so it’s ideal for applications where weight and durability matter. Recycling aluminum will save up to 95 percent of the energy it would take to produce it from raw ore.
Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat, so it is important for electrical wiring and plumbing. It’s also valuable for renewable energy. When copper is recycled through a scrap metal buyer, it retains its conductivity and can be used again without any quality loss. It’s used for wind turbines, generators, and power transmission systems. The average wind turbine actually contains nearly five tons of copper. Through scrap metal recycling, your old copper could help generate sustainable electricity for thousands of homes.
Steel is a widely recycled material because it is strong, versatile, and easy to melt down and reshape. When a vehicle reaches the end of its life, 90 percent of its steel can be recovered and reused. The same goes for steel used in tools, appliances, and skyscrapers. Producing new steel from scrap requires a lot less energy than creating it from raw materials, so recycled steel is a common component in construction beams, new car frames, and surgical instruments. Thanks to scrap metal companies that process and prepare steel for reuse, this metal will continue to shape our world without depleting it.
Gold is a luxury that’s used in fine jewelry and held in safes for retirement investments. However, it also has a practical side that gets overlooked. Gold is used in many electronics because it doesn’t corrode and it conducts electricity extremely well. The phone or laptop you tossed out last year probably contained small amounts of gold in its circuit boards and connectors. Recovering gold from e-waste helps prevent environmental contamination. Gold recycling also reduces the demand for mining, which is sometimes linked to toxic runoff and ecosystem damage. Recycled gold also finds its way into the medical field, where it’s used in diagnostic devices, dental materials, and treatments. Your old electronics could provide life-saving tools thanks to the efforts of scrap metal buyers and specialized recyclers.
Zink is used in galvanization, which is a process where steel is coated to prevent rust. Much of the recycled zinc in use today comes from old car parts, roofing materials, and batteries. After it’s recovered, zinc is reprocessed and used again in construction materials, die-casting, sunblock, and fertilizers. Its antimicrobial properties make it useful in health and hygiene products, too. Since it can be recycled indefinitely, zinc keeps doing its job without draining natural resources.
Thanks to scrap metal recycling in Austell, the metals we use every day are pulled out of waste streams and put back into circulation. M&M Recycling works with individuals, businesses, and contractors to collect and process metals that might otherwise end up in landfills. Metals have a lot of value, and when you work with a trusted company, you can turn your old equipment or leftover construction materials into cash. If you’re sitting on a pile of unused metal, don’t let it rust away. Work with our team and turn yesterday’s materials into tomorrow’s innovations.
