This pile of old pumps and motors waits for recycling in a heap of rust and color. With faded blues, pops of orange, and stark metal, this collection looks more like industrial art than a waste pile.
Scrap metal is defined within two distinct categories: ferrous (containing iron) and non-ferrous (not containing iron). Ferrous metals are strong and durable, such as steel, cast iron, or wrought iron. These metals are used mostly in construction, though their magnetic properties also make them good materials for things like stoves and refrigerators. While ferrous metals are susceptible to rust, non-ferrous are less likely to oxidize, and their malleability and non-magnetic properties make them good choices for things like wiring and electronics. Because of all their different applications, it's important that the two be separated during the recycling process.
1. Inspection When scrap metal arrives at a recycling plant, it is screened for radiation before it's even unloaded. If it's clean, it's transported to a conveyor belt, where it's screened an additional time in case any radiation was missed. 2. Fragmentation A large piece of machinery called a hammer mill breaks down the scrap metal into pieces the size of your fist and the fragments are shaken down into another conveyor belt. 3. Separation Then, a magnetic drum above the conveyor belt attracts any ferrous materials (since ferrous metals are magnetic), and the rest remains below. Any non-metal material is sucked up at this point, so that only metal remains. 4. Recreation The ferrous metals are inspected one more time for any problematic materials, and then it's sent to steel mills to be engineered into new steel. In the end, iron metals have many important applications, and without them, skyscrapers and bridges wouldn’t be nearly as sturdy. For more information on recycling in San Jose visit this website. Federal agencies have embraced the National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship (NSES) and its goals by completing projects that make electronics purchasing, management and disposal more efficient, cost effective and environmentally friendly... read more
Recycling can put a smile on your face in more ways than one. This happy little truck reminds everyone that they are making the world a prettier place every time they make an effort to reduce, reuse and recycle papers, cans and plastics.
Have you ever wondered what happens to the plastic bottles you throw into recycling bins? Although most people are aware of the significant impact recycling has on the environment, many have no clue as to the steps that are taken during the process.
Stage #1: Let the Sorting Begin The first step is for you, as the conscientious recycler, to sort out your plastics appropriately making sure to remove all caps, corks, and lids. This will make it easier and more efficient for the machinery to sort through the products. Also, since there are different types of plastic, recycling plants further sort out them into distinct categories. Stage #2: Scrub-a-dub-dub After the recyclables have been identified and separated into categories, the washing process begins and removes the following: • Labels • Adhesives • Other impurities Stage #3: To Err is Human, To Shred is Divine Once the plastics are all squeaky clean, they are loaded onto conveyor belts which funnel them towards rotating metal teeth that rip them into shreds of minuscule pellets. These tiny plastic nuggets are then bagged up for the next phase. Stage #4: Show Some I.D. With the shredding process complete, the plastic are now ready to be chemically tested to identify their exact specification. This process will determine the next action to take based on how the plastics are labelled. Stage #5: The Finale The final stage involves melting the shredded plastic and extruding it in the form of pellets, which are then ready to be manufactured into new plastic products. Today, recycling has become just as easy as simply throwing something away. For more information on plastic recycling in San Jose visit this website. Automobiles have for long been the bête -noire of environmentalists. They cause pollution. They guzzle fuel. They require way too many resources – natural resources at that – for manufacturing. The list goes on and on... read more
Recycling scrap metal is a great way to make extra money. Doing so also is a service to your community, because you are cleaning up large unsightly items that would otherwise simply take up space or be sent to a landfill. Follow this advice for successful scrap metal recycling in your community.
First, you should know which kinds of metals you are seeking. The most logical way to get started is to contact your local recycling center and ask what they buy. Most centers buy aluminum, copper, brass, and stainless steel, but you should always check to find out for sure. You can also ask how much they pay, which is usually expressed in an amount per pound. While you are at it, be sure you know where the center is located and when it is open for business. Once you know your targets, start collecting. The most obvious metal around your house is aluminum, because almost everyone drinks from aluminum beverage cans. It is very easy to cash in on these containers, because in the state of California each one smaller than 24 ounces is worth five cents, and each large can is worth 10 cents. Perhaps nothing immediately comes to mind when you think of scrap copper, but there are most likely discarded items in your home made of this metal that you never considered recycling. For example insulated wires and pipes often are made of copper. There is a limited supply of copper in the world, so every ounce is valuable. Brass can be recycled even when combined with zinc in an alloy. The three types of copper are yellow, red, and semi-red, and all can be sold, although prices may vary with the market. Sources of copper include turnings, wires, sheets, bullet shells, keys, bathroom faucets, sprinklers, and shut-off valves. Stainless steel is one of most commonly encountered metals, and also one of the most valuable. Many restaurant supplies are made from stainless steel, so you might encounter items like discarded sinks and faucets when a local business is being remodeled, for example. Car parts, sheets, and tubing are other sources of stainless steel. More people are always needed who are willing to take the time to recycle discarded metals. Keep your eyes open for scrap metal and you will begin to find it in many places. Discarded items you previously may not have thought of as valuable such as radiators, storm shutters, and airplane parts can all be sold. For more information on metal recycling in Santa Clara, please visit this website. Trash pick up days are typically sorted by neighborhood and vary from service to service. Each company will usually have a specific day to pick up recycling and some towns have laws to encourage proper sorting.
Recycling is becoming more and more important with each passing year, as landfills grow more populated with recyclable trash. With landfills reaching capacity all over the country, upkeep costs continue to rise, and more than that, the materials in landfills give off methane gas, contributing to air pollution. Recycling as a whole is important, but you might be wondering why it's necessary to start so young. Why can't children learn about recycling when they're older?
• Young Learning Breeds Habit When behavior is reinforced at a young age, it becomes second nature. If you tell your child to clean their room, it isn't simply because you don't want to do it. You're trying to build good habits, so they will clean up their own messes when they're adults. Teach your children about recycling when they're young, and they'll likely continue as they age out of sheer habit. • Respect for the Environment Having your child help sort the trash into recycling bins is great, but it's also important they understand why people recycle, and the positive impact it has on the environment. This could promote other good habits, such as riding their bike, making an effort not to litter or using less energy at home. • A Way to Bond If you make recycling into a family activity, it can build relationships between your children. Turn it into a game, and it can become a competition between siblings, or maybe they can team up against the parents. Recycling is crucial to a healthy environment, but it can also lead to healthy family dynamics. For more information on a recycling center in Santa Clara, visit this website. Jake Anderson and Millennium Recycling focus on comprehensive collection and detail-oriented processing to offer recycling services to South Dakota... read more
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AuthorWith the advantage of having lots of experience in the Recycling Industry, Dustin shares his knowledge through his writing. Archives
June 2015
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