Metal recycling is a crucial aspect of preserving our environment and ensuring a sustainable future. Here are ten reasons why it’s important to recycle metal:
- Conservation of Natural Resources: Recycling metal conserves the finite natural resources required to produce new metal products, reducing the need for mining and drilling.
- Energy Efficiency: Recycling metal requires less energy compared to the production of new metal from raw materials. This results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lower carbon footprint.
- Reduction of Waste: Recycling metal helps to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and reduces the need for incineration, thus preserving our environment.
- Economic Benefits: Recycling metal generates jobs and provides a source of income for communities, making it an important aspect of local economies.
- Protection of the Environment: Metal recycling prevents the release of toxic chemicals and pollutants into the environment, helping to protect our planet and its ecosystems.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Recycling metal reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Preserving Natural Landscapes: Recycling metal reduces the need for mining, which can cause damage to natural landscapes and habitats.
- Support for Sustainable Development: Recycling metal supports sustainable development by reducing the need for new raw materials and conserving energy.
- Cost-Effective: Recycling metal is often more cost-effective than producing new metal from raw materials, making it a practical and affordable solution for industries.
- Legacy for Future Generations: Recycling metal helps to leave a positive legacy for future generations by conserving natural resources and reducing waste, pollution, and emissions.
The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has welcomed the government’s recent move to ban a range of single-use plastics. The CEO of BMRA, James Kelly, has stated that the government’s decision is a “welcome step” and hopes it will encourage individuals and companies to use 100% recyclable items such as metal.
Starting from October 2023, the new rules aim to reduce the usage of plastic plates, bowls, trays, cutlery, balloon sticks, and some polystyrene cups and food containers. This decision is expected to have the biggest impact on the hospitality sector and will put more pressure on companies and industries to improve their recycling efforts.
As a result of the ban, many people are already switching to reusable containers like drink flasks and purchasing refills. The CEO of BMRA has praised the announcement, which coincides with the launch of the organization’s new drive to highlight the advantages of metal recycling for both individuals and the economy.
Kelly stated that the ban will make people think about the items they are using and the alternatives that can be recycled. Metal is everywhere, including homes and sheds, and a recent clear-out or house renovation could have produced items such as bikes, radiators, copper pipes, and brass door handles. He also added that metal recycling has limitless potential and has benefits for the economy, protection of natural resources, reduction of energy use, and cutting emissions. The public can even be paid for metal recycling if they take it to a metal recycler.
In the lead-up to Global Recycling Day on March 18, the BMRA has released ten reasons to recycle metal. The reasons include the fact that metal is 100% recyclable, it contributes to the circular economy, and recycling one tonne of steel saves one and a half tonnes of iron ore from being mined. Recycling steel uses 70% less energy than mining and refining ore and recycling metal avoids sending permanent materials to landfill. Metal from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) such as fridges, vacuum cleaners, and computer equipment can also be recycled into Olympic medals. The public can even be paid for their scrap metal.