What happens to scrap metal?
You’d be surprised at the amount of scrap metal that’s just lying around: old cars, washing machines, radiators, garden tools, cables and even the leftover pieces from construction sites. Most of this doesn’t need to end up in landfill – many of the metals contained in it can be recycled and then re-made into new products over and over again. Steel and aluminium can be melted down and re-formed into new products.
Advances in technology mean that much of this scrap metal can be recycled and made into something completely new – thanks in part to the fact that metal doesn’t lose its strength when reused.
Here is what happens to scrap metal once it leaves your hands.
Collection and sorting
Upon arrival at a yard, scrap metal is first sorted by type and weighed. The main split is between ferrous metals (steel, cast iron etc., which contain iron and are magnetic) and non-ferrous metals (aluminium, copper, brass and lead etc). With magnets it is easy enough to split out the ferrous from the non-ferrous, and then to further sort out the individual non-ferrous metals, as they have significantly greater value.
For items such as cars and appliances, this includes draining fluids and removing batteries and other hazardous parts before processing.
Shredding, melting and purifying
Once sorted, the scrap metal is cleaned of any paint, plastic etc. and then shredded or cut into smaller pieces to aid the melting process. The metal is then melted in a furnace. Steel scrap is often melted in an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), which can produce new steel largely from scrap.
The metal is then purified, adjusted to the right composition and cast into bars, blocks or slabs, often called ingots or billets, and is ready for manufacturing.
The re-manufacturing process
Once reformed, the metal can be transported to manufacturers to be used in a whole new way. Recycled metal ends up in electronics, car parts, construction materials, packaging and much more. Certain advanced technologies, such as Roscamat tapping machines //www.cotswold-machinery-sales.co.uk/roscamat-tapping-machines/ can be used in metal fabrication as part of the manufacturing process.
| Metal | Type | Common sources | Often becomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | Ferrous | Cars, appliances, construction steel | New steel for buildings, vehicles, cans |
| Aluminium | Non-ferrous | Drinks cans, window frames, car parts | Cans, vehicle parts, building products |
| Copper | Non-ferrous | Cable, pipes, cylinders | Wire, pipe, electrical parts |
| Brass | Non-ferrous | Taps, fittings, valves | New fittings and components |
Selling or disposing of scrap metal
In England and Wales, scrap metal dealers are required to be licensed by their local council under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. They must check the name and address of the seller of scrap metal and retain a record of the transaction. They are also prohibited from paying cash for scrap metal and can only pay by bank transfer or by crossed cheque. These measures are designed to combat metal theft.
Small quantities of household scrap are usually best taken to your local recycling centre. For larger quantities or higher value metals (e.g. copper) consider taking them to a licensed dealer.
Sustainable choices
The energy needed to recycle a metal is much less than that to extract the same metal from ore. The saving of raw materials and reduction of waste going to landfill make recycling your scrap metal a good thing to do. Take it to the right recycling facility rather than putting it in general waste.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if metal is ferrous or non-ferrous?
Use a magnet on the metal to test if it is ferrous (sticks firmly to the magnet – eg steel or iron) or probably non-ferrous (does not stick to the magnet – eg aluminium, copper or brass). Some grades of stainless steel are only weakly magnetic, whilst others are not at all magnetic.
Why won’t a scrap yard pay me in cash?
Because it is against the law for dealers in England and Wales. The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 banned cash payments, so a licensed dealer will pay by bank transfer or cheque and ask for identification. A dealer offering cash should be treated with caution.
Where to go next
To see how recycled metal is turned into finished parts, read about the benefits of electric tapping arms in metal fabrication.
