Tag Archives: metal recycling process

The 7 Stages of the Scrap Metal Recycling Process

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All metal can be recycled. Whether it’s copper, steel, iron, brass, or precious, it can be repurposed and reused in several different applications. But how; you ask? Continue below to learn the seven basic stages of the scrap metal recycling process, and where you can get paid cash for your ferrous and nonferrous scrap right here in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Scrap Metal Recycling Company
Indianapolis Scrap Metal Recycling Company 317-244-0700

The Importance of Recycling Metal

There is not an infinite supply of metal in the world. We have to mine for naturally-occurring ores, which takes a lot of time, effort, and money, plus depletes our natural preserves. It also generates a nominal amount of air pollution due to the metal refining factories. So, as you can see, it is vital to reuse and repurpose all scrap metal in order to reduce our need to mine for new ores and preserve our natural resources. Furthermore, the scrap metal industry positively contributes to our local economies, providing jobs and all sorts of community initiatives.

How Scrap Metal is Recycled:

➀ Collection

First, scrap metal must be collected. Because of it’s value, scrap metal is not dumped in a landfill, and instead, is sold to scrap yards for recycling. The most common form of scrap metal comes from vehicles, but other sources include construction and plumbing scrap, railroad scrap, and farm scrap.

➁ Sorting

Once the scrap metal is gathered, it is sorted according to its type. Most often, large magnetic sensors are used to weed out the ferrous (magnetic iron-containing metals) metal from the non-ferrous metal. Metal analyzing equipment is sometimes used to further detect and sort through the metal streams.

➂ Shredding

After sorting comes processing. This generally involves shredding all of the metal so that it is lower in volume, which makes it easier to melt down. This saves a lot of energy. Aluminum and steel, however, are processed into sheets and blocks.

➃ Melting

After shredding and processing, the scrap metal is ready to be smelted down. They are placed into large furnaces, each assigned to its own type of metal, and melted into liquid form. The time it takes for metal to reach liquidity ranges between a few minutes to a few hours.

➄ Decontamination

After the metal has entered into a liquid form, it is basically sanitized. All residual contaminants and impurities are eliminated from the melted metal using a process known as Electrolysis.

➅ Solidifying

Once the metal is all cleaned and purified, it is transferred via conveyor belt to cure, or turn into a solid. Then, they are transferred into molds according to the type of metal it is and its intended application. Bars are the most commonly used shape in the recycling industry.

➆ Metal Bar Distribution

Once the molds are all done, and the metal is ready for use, they are shipped out and distributed as needed. They are hauled off to factories to be used as raw materials to manufacture new products!

Are you interested in recycling your scrap metal and getting paid cash on the spot? Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 for the most professional and hassle-free scrap metal recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Might Also Like:

Facts About Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling
3 Good Reasons to Recycle Scrap Metal in Indiana
How Does Metal Recycling Benefit Everyone?

Indianapolis Metal Recycling
Indianapolis Metal Recycling

The 7 Steps to Metal Recycling

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Recycling metal is a vital initiative that every person on Earth should take part in; not only because it helps to preserve our natural resources and reduce the need to mine for new ores, but also because it protects our planet from harmful emissions created by the entire mining and manufacturing enterprise. If you would like to do your part to help our environments sustain healthy stasis for centuries to come, start by creating a simple recycling routine at home or in the office. Collect soda cans, soup cans, food cans, and all other everyday scrap metal commodities, even broken appliances and tools, and then take your collection to a local metal recycling drop off location or scrap yard. You will be helping the environment and making some cash at the same time!

In the meantime, you may be more motivated by learning just how metal is recycled from start to finish. It happens in various ways all over the world, but here in the U.S., most metal refining is done in 7 steps. Continue reading to learn them all right now!

Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700
Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Step ❶ – Collection

Metal scraps are collected, from soda cans and food cans, to sheet metal, plumbing materials, construction materials, power tools, farming equipment, machinery, electronics, appliances, junk cars, auto parts, and more.

Step ❷ – Sorting

As scrap materials come in to the recycling center, they are separated from the mixed scrap metal stream and sorted according to the type, weight, and color. Typically, this step is automated, and implemented using sensors and magnets.

Step ❸ – Processing

Once metals are separated into categories, they are shredded for processing. This makes metal melt faster using less energy. You see, small shredded metal material retains a higher surface-to-volume ratio.

Step ❹ – Melting

Shredded scrap metal will then be placed into a large furnace for melting. Centers have separate furnaces designated and designed to melt down particular types of metal. Depending on various factors, the actual time metal takes to melt will range from a few minutes to a few hours.

Step ❺ – Purification

Metal refining centers want their final products to be high quality and free of impurities, which is why scrap metal is purified after the melting stage. Electrolysis is the most common and accepted method of metal purification in the recycling industry.

Step ❻ – Solidifying

During this stage, metals take a ride on a conveyor belt where they are shaped into bars or sheets, and cooled to a solid form. These forms are dependent on the type of metal and intended application. For instance, aluminum is formed into small sheets, while steel is typically formed into blocks.

Step ❼ – Transporting the Metal Bars

After the metals have cooled and solidified, they are ready to be transported to factories for re-use. Factories use reprocessed metals as raw materials, which uses substantially less energy to mine virgin materials.

Where to Recycle Metal in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700
Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle scrap metal for cash in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay top dollar for all metals, regardless of age or condition. We buy vehicles, equipment, sheet metal, electrical wiring, computers, auto parts, power tools, appliances, and much more. And we guarantee to pay you cash on the spot! Call 317-244-0700 to make fast cash, today!