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!

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

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!