Most Commonly Recycled Metals

crap metal recycling helps reduce the need for future mining of recyclable metals and preserve our natural resources.  There are any many other reasons why to scrap but another major factor is the financial gain in doing so.

There are two types of metals: ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals are those which are primarily composed of iron such as steel, cast iron etc and are generally cheaper in value due to how common they are. Non-ferrous metals are those that are greatly resistant to corrosion such as copper, brass aluminium etc

Iron is one of the most recycled metals on the planet and it’s the most abundant metal on Earth. It is largely considered as the most important metal as it’s the key ingredient in steel. 90% of all metal refined is iron.

Steel (along with iron) is the most recycled metal due to its strong and durable nature and is 100% recyclable. It retains all of its properties after being recycled. Recycling steel is considered very simple because low-value steel can be recycled into high-value products and removing its impurities is very easy.

Copper is in high demand at scrap yards and is one of the most financially rewarding.  Selling copper wires and pipes can be very lucrative.  Copper is significantly durable and resistant to high temperatures and is a a great conductor of electricity.

Aluminium is without doubt the most common type of non-ferrous metal. It’s easily melted down and can be reused indefinitely making it environmentally friendly. It requires 95% less energy than producing new aluminium from ore. It can be found everywhere from outdoor furniture to exercise equipment. It’s the third most abundant element on Earth.

Brass is an alloy meaning it is comprised of other metals. It is less popular and not as widely available as the other metals listed above when it comes to recycling but is very common in most households. It is much more cost effective to recycle brass than to create it.