Metal recycling is an important part of preserving energy and natural resources, as well as, reducing harmful carbon emissions and the need to mine for new resources. Metal is a highly valuable element because it serves infinite roles in our society and even our health. It can be reused and reprocessed over and over again, making it incredibly valuable and easy to recycle.
Continue reading to learn the basic process of metal recycling so that you can better understand the importance, necessity, and value of the overall enterprise.
The State Method of Recycling Scrap Metal
There are various ways metal is recycled in Indiana, as it depends mostly on the personal preferences and methods of individual Indianapolis metal recycling centers, as well as various other factors, like available technology, state ordinances, and more. However, the basic process can be broken down into 7 primary steps.
➀ Collection – Metal cannot be recycled unless it is first collected. Scrap metal can be handed over to scrap yards, junk car buyers, metal processing centers, and more. Once collected, the individual center chooses their own method of reprocessing.
➁ Categorization – Once metal is collected, the center must sort and organize the metal into categories. Usually, nonferrous and ferrous metals are separated, and then precious or high-value metals are further separated.
➂ Processing – Once the metal is categorized and sorted, it can be moved into processing. This is when metal is shredded, sheeted, or broken down to size to make the melting process more efficient.
➃ Liquefying – After metal is processed, it can be melting down. The liquefying stage involves various large industrial furnaces that produces intense levels of heat that melt metal quickly. Each furnace is assigned a particular type of metal in order to keep the reprocessed product as pure as possible.
➄ Refinement – Once melted, the metal must be decontaminated and cleaned. The purification process is important because it allows the final product to be higher quality and purer. Electrolysis is generally the typical method used for purifying metal.
➅ Solidifying – Once everything is melted and purified, the products are transferred via conveyor belt to cool and solidify. In most cases, the metal is formed into bars (or sheets) during this step of the process.
➆ Distribution – After metal has completed the process of being recycled, it is ready for redistribution. Recycled metal can be used in infinite applications, including construction, farming, art, education, and more.
How to Recycle Metal in Indianapolis
If you are interested in recycling metal, contact your trusted Indianapolis IN scrap metal recycling center for advice on how to get started. All metal can be recycled, including nonferrous, ferrous, and precious metals. Easy metals to find for recycling include steel, iron, copper, and aluminum, so they are a great starting place for someone new to metal recycling.
Keep in mind that cars, trucks, and all other types of motorized equipment, such as tractors, dozers, golf carts, motorcycles, scooters, and forklifts, all contain high amounts of lucrative metal. Appliances, electronics, jewelry, gym equipment, auto parts, sheet metal, plumbing components, and power tools are more examples of items that contain decent amounts of recyclable metal.
Are you trying to decide which Central Indiana scrap metal recycling center is the most trusted choice? Just contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for the highest standards of professionalism, and the highest payouts for metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana.
You Should Also Enjoy:
What Does Ferrous Mean?
How to Look for Scrap Metal Around the House
Top 2 Technologies Used to Determine Metal Composition
