In 2013, Americans prevented 87.2 million tons of waste from being thrown into landfills due to recycling efforts. This number is up 15 million from 1980, as more individuals and organizations move forward in efforts to create a more sustainable future. When it comes to metals such as copper, steel, aluminum, and iron, there are many benefits to recycling rather than simply throwing them away. 

Top 3 Benefits of Recycling Metal

1. Saves Energy

It always takes less energy to use a material that is already made than it does to produce a new product. Recycling metal reduces greenhouse gas emissions and decreases the amount of energy used to create metal from scratch. Due to the fact that these metals have already been refined and processed once, the second time is much less energy intensive. For example, recycled aluminum uses less than 5% of the energy needed to make the original product, and steel saves up to 74% of the energy used.

2. Conserves Natural Resources 

The earth contains a finite number of resources, and recycling helps create a more sustainable society. Not only will you reduce the number of resources the environment uses, but you will also reduce the amount of waste produced by your home. For every ton of steel recycled, 4,000 pounds of raw materials are conserved, and one ton of recycled aluminum saves 40 barrels of oil and 10 cubic feet of landfill space.

3. Generates Economic Benefits

Did you know metal recycling is also good for the economy? The National Recycling Coalition employs more than one million workers across the United States, with an estimated $236 billion in revenue. That means that with recycling, you don’t just save the planet—you also put money back into the pockets of the American people and help generate new jobs.

Do you have materials that can be recycled? If so, take your beams, steel, pipes, tubing, and other scrap metals to David Hirschberg Steel & Recycling Center in Cincinnati, OH. They pay cash for a variety of different metals from both residential and commercial sources. Visit them online to find out more about what they do, and give them a call today at (513) 821-0514 to learn more about metal recycling.