Scrap metals include a number of materials such as aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel, cast iron, lead, zinc, and nickel. Recycling scrap metal contributes to a significant saving in greenhouse gas emissions. Making items from recycled aluminum uses just 5% of the energy as making the same item from raw materials.
- Ferrous metals predominantly contain iron. These metals are magnetic and usually offer little resistance to corrosion. Ferrous metals include wrought iron, steel, and stainless steel.
- Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron and are not magnetic. They usually offer more resistance to corrosion than ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals include copper, aluminum, lead, zinc and nickel.
- By collecting and processing scrap metal, we reduce the ecological impacts of mining raw materials from the ground and reduce up to 97% of mining wastes.
- Over 50% of the world’s steel production uses recycled scrap metal, making it one of the world’s most recycled materials.