A Comparison Between Recycling Metal and Extracting Metal

16 December 2021

Many manufacturers today utilise metals in developing and producing various components and products to ensure that different industries can maximise them. Some industries that maximise metal components and products are automotive, construction, electronics, power, and transportation.

Generally, metals and even alloys are used in these industries due to their reliable qualities. One of the notable qualities of these materials is that they have dependent malleability. Through this quality, manufacturers can hammer or press them without destroying their form or shape. Another quality that makes them stand out is their astonishing electrical and heat conductivity. Other great qualities of metals and alloys are high melting points, high density, great ductility, and appealing looks.

To date, metals can be obtained by either extracting or recycling them. While they still share the same qualities, the effects of these processes can be different in many ways. Here is a brief comparison between recycling and extracting metal materials.

Recycling Metals

The process of recycling is done by collecting scrap metals from discarded metal products, grouping them based on their properties, and processing them so they can be sold and used again.

What is great about recycling metals is that they do not require the extraction of raw metals from the earth. This specific benefit means that the natural supply of metals is preserved for future use. Another great thing about recycling metals is that they only need fewer resources throughout the process. Recycling metals can also minimise waste, pollution, energy use and toxin emissions in the surroundings. It can even provide a stable income source to sellers of scrap metals.

While recycling metals are generally great for the environment and economy, this process still has some drawbacks. For one, it can only offer fewer jobs compared to metal extraction. It likewise still must maximise factories, trucks, and sorting facilities just to cater to the recycling processes, which can increase the carbon footprint of a recycling company.

Extracting Metals

Metal extraction, alternatively, is done in multiple steps. First, a company should be able to pinpoint an area where a huge number of raw metals can be extracted. Second, it must bring in equipment pieces and tools that will extract, refine, process, and transport them to different manufacturers. Manufacturers will then conduct their processes to convert them into various metal components and products.

Even though recycled metals retain most of their properties, extracted raw metals still have an edge over their properties and overall value. Many countries depend heavily on the exportation of raw metals in ensuring the growth of their economies. Raw metal extraction can likewise create many jobs due to the number of processes it requires.

Extracting raw metals, however, can harm the environment in many ways. It can effectively deplete the natural metal resources. It can also generate soil, water, and noise pollution. It can even maximise and put harm on a lot of non-renewable energy sources.

The eco-friendly advantages of recycling metals have pushed a lot of industries to lean towards the said process. To know more about metal recycling, you can call us at Victorian Metal Traders.

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