TYPES OF METAL
Mining & Recycling of Natural Resources
Why is metal important to recycle? Recycling metal rather than mining it will help save our worlds natural resources and reduce pollution and harming our environment.
Why is it important to recycle?
Landfills
Its important to recycle to avoid disposing of hazardous materials into our landfill. Currently we are facing much bigger problems that have little to no attention at all that play a huge role in polluting our air supply. This is the everyday person disposing items that contain refrigerant gasses, propane or battery acid to be the more common ones are not informed on the how to or even educated at all about whats contained inside their items and that it should be disposed of properly and that they're is very little service that do so worldwide.
Now I'm not saying forget about the big boys like factory's and other polluting emissions but in our everyday life without any knowledge of being a part of this problem. Our communities across the world dispose of many harmful materials that don't seem to them like to much of a problem when they dispose of those materials at the curbside.
Just with garbage bags being black and not seeing if harmful items are being tossed or not, which if they were to do it would be a total invasion of our privacy, so we face an issue where people throw items like batteries, tinfoil, cell phones, plastic items that cause harmful affects to our environment and most of all our soil and water tables below all while most creating gasses that emit immensely from these landfill sites into our breathable air.
With batteries and especially the little ones or copper wiring like speaker wire or satellite cable which scrap yards don't pay for leading to no one really caring to collect it are tossed in the trash all the time.
Public garbage cans contribute to polluting our landfills as well as people don't care what it is they toss it because its their and convenient , its not littering where they are at the moment but later ends up in the landfills.
Education is the biggest key role in eliminating this problem and finding a solution rather it be the government funding companies to ensure of proper reclaiming our refrigerant gas, That manufactures building and distributing these items containing these harmful gasses or those who are creating the gasses to be used whatever the solution may be it most certainly should not be the uneducated world populations responsibility.
Majority of fridge owners and may i add that everyone in the world except limited country's has at least 1 fridge in there house and at least 70 percent of those households own 2 or more items containing refrigerant gasses.
If no one drains them for the everyday fridge or window ac , humidifiers etc then were at a stand still and pushing the problem of people who collect them for scrap to just clip the line depleting the gas into our environment.
Bigger Problems?
Items containing refrigerant has really taken a leading stance in polluting our air supply and having barely next to no attention at all.
These companies produce the gasses and items containing them and take zero responsibility on what happens after or how to properly recycle them.
Items like water coolers, fridges, freezers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, restaurant equipment, bar fridges, window air conditioners and many more these just being the main ones are drained improperly on a daily basis by millions of people.
Let that sink in on how much pollution alone from refrigerant gasses we actually breathe in constantly.
What are we doing about it? Has anyone called around to find a service to dispose of the refrigerant gas? There are some junk companies who charge $100 CAD just to pickup these items. most people cant afford that yet alone have a vehicle to haul it.
This forces a problem of polluting the curbside and encouraging the scrappers to deplete the gas illegally.
What are the most commonly recycled metals?
Tin
A silvery-white metal, the chemical element of atomic number 50 being a ferrous metal making it magnetic. Tin is very thin and light compared to steel and used all over the place, in things like cars, computers, wheel barrows, bicycles, food cans, swing sets, backyard sheds the list goes on.
Tin is found in many items around us only a daily basis. Tin being the most common metal found for recycling also pays by the ton which means you need a large volume in order to make anything worth making. ( Items like tin cans, dog crates, filing cabinets, cars, trucks, shelving the list goes on.
Tin is everywhere and will continue to be a well used material with a high demand on the market.
Steel
A hard, strong, gray or bluish-gray alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, being the atomic number 26, iron (steel) is the second most common metal element on Earth. Steel is also a ferrous metal being magnetic as well.
Anything a quarter inch thick or more i would say is considered steel in the scrap world. steel is used mainly in heavy structural items, heavy machinery, bridges and much more.
Steel is like Tin when it comes to being found. Steel is used in all commercial and industrial buildings, vehicles, heavy machinery, tools and much more. Steel is heavy and items that are steel are great items for recycling collectors to obtain knowing that steel can weigh up pretty fast and normally would pay more than Tin
Copper
A reddish brown metal, this chemical element being atomic number 29. Copper is considered a non-ferrous metal making it non-magnetic.
With copper being such a great conductor of electricity, copper is mostly used in electrical generators & motors, electrical wiring, and electronics such as radio, DVD players and television sets. Copper also conducts heat well, so it is used in motor vehicle radiators, air-conditioners and home heating systems. Copper has been used for plumbing but is now being phased out and replace with plastic piping.
When recycling scrap copper and batteries at the same time, for safe travels be sure to keep both separate as copper can start a fire instantly just by a battery tipping over in your truck or trailer and a copper wire touches both terminals.
Copper is known as one of the easier out of all hard but still hard to obtain metals with a great value. Fetching any wheres between $2 - $5 per pond
Brass
A yellow alloy mixture of copper and zinc elements also a non-ferrous metal being non magnetic. Brass is a mixture of two elements and does not have its own atomic number. Brass is mainly used for decoration because its bright gold-like appearance.
Items where low friction is required for example locks, gears, bearings, door handles, bullet casings as well as valves.
They are also used for plumbing and electrical and especially in brass musical instruments such as trumpets, horns, bells, symbols etc..
Brass is like cooper just hidden in disguise being silver plated or chrome plated brass. For example those old silver serving trays are not actually pure silver just plated underneath is brass. Brass fetching between $1 - $3 per pound.
Aluminum
A light soft silvery-gray metal. This chemical element being atomic number 13. This metal is a non-ferrous metal as well being non magnetic
Aluminum is used in a wide range of products across the world including pop & beer cans, a variety of foils, pots & pans, window frames, beer kegs, restaurant equipment as well as airplane parts. This is because of its particular properties contributed into the making of these products.
Aluminum is one of the more frequently found metal being a part of everyday recycling, fetching about .30cents - $2 per pound
Lead
Non-corrosive metal as well as non-ferrous being non magnetic.
Lead is the atomic number 82. Lead is a bluish-white lustrous metal. It is very soft heavy thick pieces can be bent by hand very easily. Its highly malleable. it is a relatively poor conductor of electricity.
Being resistant to corrosion it still has its down falls. It tarnishes upon exposure to air. Lead is naturally found in the earths crusts. Lead can also be found in plants, animals, air, water, dust, and soil. Lead is also a highly toxic metal as well as being a very strong poison. Lead poisoning is a serious and sometimes fatal condition.
Lead is used to protect wires and cables from corrosion. Lead absorbs vibrations and sounds. Lead play a big part in manufacture of ammunition. Most of the lead used today is used in the production on lead-acid storage batteries, such as the batteries found in our everyday vehicles and is also used in dental buildings and hospitals for x ray rooms lining the walls and the vest the patient puts on..
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel has a shiny reflective silver look to it with a very nice finish. Stainless steel is a form of steel containing chromium, resistant to tarnishing and rust and does not have its own atomic number but with steel being the dominate element here 26 would be its best number.
Due to the strength, flexibility and resistance to corrosion, stainless steel is now commonly used in modern construction, basically all restaurant equipment, counter tops, backsplashes, cooking utensils, barbecues, kitchen appliances, surgical equipment and more.
Stainless steel can be both ferrous and non-ferrous metal depending on grade and process during manufacturing of the metal at the time. This means a magnet will stick and no stick to stainless steel.
This being a heavy metal and non-ferrous it can fetch you some serious coin in scrap metal recycling if cleaned properly. Fetching any wheres from .40 - $1.50 per pound.
Zinc
Zinc is a silvery-white looking metal that is a constituent of brass and is used for coating (galvanizing) iron and steel to protect against corrosion. Zinc is the chemical element of atomic number 30. Zinc is a non-corrosive metal also being non-ferrous and non magnetic.
More than half of all zinc that is mined from our earth is used for galvanizing other metals such as steel and iron. Galvanizing is when these other metals are coated with a thin coating of zinc for preventing them from corrosion and rust. Zinc is also used to form alloys with other metals such as brass, nickle, silver and aluminum solider.
Zinc oxide is widely used in the manufacture of very many products such as paints, rubber, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, inks, soaps, batteries, textiles and electrical equipment. Zinc is pretty much found in our everyday lives and in every cell of the human body, in the earth, in the foods that we eat as well as in products that we use regularly such as sunblock, automobiles, cosmetics, airplanes, appliances, surgical tools, zinc lozenges.
Children need zinc for growth. Adults need zinc for reproduction and good health its part of our body's balance to life's secret.
What are the more precious recycled metals?
Gold
Gold is a yellow and soft precious looking metal and being the chemical element of atomic number 79, gold has a high electrical conductivity making it perfect for electronics. Also it does not corrode or tarnish, unlike other highly conductive metals, such as copper and silver. Gold is a non-ferrous metal being non magnetic.
Gold is just about everywhere now, only most of it is hidden, in items like electronics, appearing on mother boards, ram chips, CPU chips & sockets, your cell phone, newer televisions, i pads, jewellery and much more.
There is more gold in the electronics contained our homes, businesses, stores and manufactures than there is found right now in actual mines right now!
Its also used in jewellery, but one of the more important attributes is gold holds and stores it's value in our currency!
Gold is very valuable and can fetch you $1500+ per once
Silver
Silver is a shiny grayish-white precious looking metal and being the chemical element of atomic number 47, silver has been know for being soft. Silver is also non-ferrous metal being non magnetic as well.
Because appearance is important, Silver is used to make many things like jewellery, tableware and mirrors, as it is the best reflector of visible light known to date. Silver does tarnish with time. Silver is used in dental alloys, solder and brazing alloys, electrical contacts and batteries.
Platinum
Platinum is a precious silvery-white looking metal. Platinum is the chemical element of atomic number 78. It was first encountered by the Spanish in South America in the 16th century.
Platinum is used in jewelry, electrical contacts, laboratory equipment, and industrial catalysts, catalytic converter on vehicles for emissions process.
Platinum is the heaviest of the precious metals and is non-corrosive and does not tarnish making it great to mix with gold. Platinum Does not wear and is very dense but its pretty looks can fetch a good price with cats of of vehicles paying any wheres between $5 - $500 per unit.
Platinum is a non-ferrous metal and is non magnetic as well
Nickle
Nickle is a silvery-white looking metal and being the chemical element of atomic number 28, nickle has been know to be resistant to corrosion and is used to plate other metals to simulate the same resistant effect. Nickle is non-ferrous metal also being non magnetic.
Nickle is used in shower taps and faucets. With nickles ability to withstand high heat, nickel minimizes corrosion, allowing the metal to be used for several decades without replacement. Nickle is also hazardous when inhaled and can result in death.
What are the bit more rare types of metals?
Cobalt
Cobalt is a hard silvery-white magnetic looking metal and being the chemical element of atomic number 27, cobalt is used in other types of magnetic steels & stainless steels as well as in alloys used in jet turbines and gas turbine generators.
Cobalt is used in electroplating because of its appearance, hardness, and resistance to oxidation. Cobalt is also used as a tracer element for finding things like cancers in the human body. Probably key to finding a cure! Your body actually needs cobalt to survive and is manufactured in vitamin b12. It is also found in ceramics and pottery.
Mercury
Mercury is a heavy silvery-white looking metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures but being the chemical element of atomic number 80, mercury is commonly used in batteries, fluorescent lights, felt production, thermometers and barometers.
Most of these uses have been phased out by now in retail but are still around in the scrap metal world of recycling. Mercury easily forms alloys called "amalgams" with other metals such as gold, silver and tin. The inhalation of mercury vapor can produce harmful effects on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs and kidneys, and may be fatal or cause life time medical conditions!
Tungsten
Tungsten is a hard steel-gray looking metal of the transition series! Tungsten being the chemical element of atomic number 74, has a very high melting point of 3410°C and is used to make electric light filaments. Very tough metal and wear-resistant. Used in alloys such as steel for strengthening and protection!
Beryllium
Beryllium is a hard gray looking metal also the chemical element of atomic number 4. Beryllium is alloyed with copper or nickel to make springs, gyroscopes, electrical contacts, spot-welding electrodes and non-sparking tools, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Other beryllium alloys are used in high-speed aircraft's and missiles, as well as spacecraft and communication satellites. Does to its rarity this metal is not easy to get your hands on!
Bismuth
Bismuth is a brittle reddish-gray looking metal as well as being the chemical element of atomic number 83. Pure bismuth is a white brittle metal with a slight pinkish color. Bismuth is usually mixed with other metals, such as lead, tin, iron or cadmium to form low-melting alloys.
Bismuth is used in fire sprinkler systems. This is because it does not melt easily. Bismuth alloys are used in ammunition and pyrotechnics, such as firework displays as well as some medicines!
Cerium
Cerium is a silvery-white looking metal also being the chemical element of atomic number 58, cerium is a component of misc metal. cerium is being used in the manufacture of alloys for cigarette lighters.
Cerium oxide is used in incandescent gas mantles as well as glass polishing agents and as a catalyst in self-cleaning ovens. Cerium reacts with oxygen and can be set on fire simply by scratching the surface with a knife. It also reacts with cold water (slowly), hot water (rapidly), acids, bases, hydrogen gas, and other metals.
Cadmium
Cadmium is a silvery-white looking metal and is the chemical element of atomic number 48. To date the most important use of cadmium in the United States is in the production of Ni-cad ( nickel -cadmium), or rechargeable batteries.
It is also used in pigments, coatings and plating, manufacturing of plastic products, and alloys. Any form of cadmium taken on a high level can result in death. Low doses over long period of time can cause damage to kidneys, lungs and bones.
As a result to cadmium low coefficient of friction and its high fatigue resistance, cadmium is used in alloys for bearings to help with the burning of metals. Cadmium is also used in children's jewellery to create a shiny coating appearance.
Lots of foods contain trace amounts of cadmium like rice, as well as seaweed, seafood, and some organ meats. Others like peanuts, sunflower seeds, leafy greens, potatoes, bread, and mushrooms contribute to dietary cadmium intake. all keeping in mind that low doses over time can result to medical conditions!
Niobium
Niobium is a silver-gray looking metal of the transition series used in superconducting alloys. Niobium is the chemical element of atomic number 41. The metal is used in super alloys for jet engines and heat resistant equipment. It is often used in pipeline construction due to its strength.
Niobium is used in rings for pierced ears, nose, and other body parts being in contact with the human body quite regularly.
Indium
Indium is used to make transistors. Scrap indium metal is not something that scrappers typical obtain for recycling. It is also used to make other electrical components such as rectifiers, thermistors and photo-conductors. Indium can also be used to make mirrors that are as reflective as silver mirrors but do not tarnish as quickly.
Gallium
Gallium is a soft silvery-white looking metal that melts at about 30°C, that's just above room temperature. Gallium is the chemical element of atomic number 31.
Low melting gallium alloys are used in some medical thermometers as non-toxic substitutes for mercury. Gallium arsenide is used in semi-conductor production mainly for laser diodes, light-emitting diodes and solar panels.