Although the practice of recovering metals for their value dates - TopicsExpress



          

Although the practice of recovering metals for their value dates back thousands of years, today, the environmental incentives have become an extremely important aspect of the industry. Currently, about 45% of the world’s steel production comes from recycled metal, along with about one third of the world’s aluminum and over 40% of the world’s copper. Recycling rates are rapidly increasing; in 2008, an approximate total of 150 million tons of scrap metal was recycled. When it comes to recycling scrap metal, there are numerous benefits for Canadian businesses and the environment. The major benefits include energy conservation, conservation of natural resources, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and economic benefits (CARI). ENERGY CONSERVATION Recycling scrap metal requires significantly less energy than manufacturing new metals from virgin ore. For example, the estimated energy saved by using recycled metals is: 95% for aluminum 90% for copper 60% for iron and steel NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION As metal can be recycled and reused indefinitely, scrap metal recycling allows us to preserve the finite resources we have on earth. According to ISRI, recycling one ton of aluminum conserves up to five tons of bauxite, and recycling one ton of steel conserves 2500 lbs. of iron ore, 1400 lbs. of coal and 120 lbs. of limestone (2012). ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS The amount of greenhouse gas emissions are reduced substantially through the practice of recycling metal material. The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries reports that recycling metal may cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300 million to 500 million tons. In addition, using scrap metal in lieu of virgin ore generates 97 percent less mining waste and uses 40 percent less water, according to the National Institutes of Health (2012). ECONOMIC BENEFITS Recycling metal has numerous benefits for the Canadian economy. CARI estimates that the metal recycling industry in Canada employs 40,000 people directly and another 120,000 indirectly. When compared to the waste industry, the scrap metal recycling industry process produces 10 times the revenue and employment.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 13:17:00 +0000

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