"Metal Recycling and its Environmental Impacts"

From time immemorial, metal and metal products have been used extensively by human beings. With development and a growth in population, the demand on these natural resources has only been rising. Hence, there is a desperate need to optimize the use of these precious metals to reduce the negative effects of metal production on our planet and to assure that our children and their children’s children also get to utilize this all-important resource.

This is where the concept of Metal Recycling steps in!

Metal Recycling – All Metals can be recycled.

Among all the man-made items available, metal (especially iron and steel) is perhaps the most precious and widely recycled material there is. This is because metals do not lose their inherent properties no matter how many times they are recycled.

Metals are put to use in several commercial, manufacturing and industrial operations and the waste material that is created (SCRAP) is further put back into the manufacturing of new metal. This is because the act of recycling scrap metal consumes much less energy when compared to producing new metal, thus reducing wastages and maximizing efficiencies. Add to this the fact that by recycling metal, there is a direct reduction in air pollution (reduced CO2 emissions) and conservation of water as well as a fall in the use of several natural resources.

Some of the most common sources of scrap include discarded household appliances (WEEE), computers, automobiles, containers, packaging items, steel cans, boats, cookware, steel beams, batteries, old cars and wires etc.

Essential Metals

Some of the most commonly used metals include –

Iron
Steel
Aluminium
Copper
Brass
Silver
Nickel
Gold and
Lead etc.

Dangerous Metals - Where there is good, there is also some bad.

Here are some of the most dangerous metals available in the environment and in man-made products exposure to which can cause several ailments.

Lead – Exposure to lead can cause damage to the nervous system and can reduce mental abilities as it is a hormone disruptor.

Manganese – Is emitted through the burning of fossil fuels as well as from the steel industry and becomes a toxin when there is over exposure.

Mercury – Exposure to mercury often takes place through the use of products that have mercury as well as from mining, plant emissions and deposits found in fish etc. It can cause hormone disruption and respiratory problems etc.

Cadmium – Tobacco smoke is the main source of Cadmium exposure to which can cause cancer, kidney damage, and hormonal, respiratory and cardiovascular problems.

Uranium and Radon as well as carbon copper, nickel and aluminium etc are radio active metals, long term exposure to which can cause cancer, tumors and respiratory diseases.

Soaring Metal Prices - Current Financial Climate.

Countries such as UK and USA have been exporting essential metals (iron, steel, tin, aluminium) to expanding countries like China, Far East and India in order to meet their rising demands for these raw materials, extensively needed for residential, commercial and industrial projects.

Such a rise in demand for metals is the main cause for rising prices of these natural resources.

Author: David Pritchard 28th April 2008