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Metal recycling – why is it worth it and how does it work?

In an era of growing environmental awareness, metal recycling is becoming increasingly important. It is not only a way to protect the environment but also a real saving of natural resources and energy. In this post, we explain what metal recycling is, how the recovery process works, and why it’s worth supporting – both as an individual and as a business owner.

What is metal recycling?

Metal recycling is the process of recovering metals from waste (e.g., cans, scrap, used electronic devices) for reuse. It includes both ferrous metals (e.g., steel, iron) and non-ferrous metals (e.g., aluminum, copper, zinc). Thanks to modern technologies, metals can be melted down multiple times without losing their properties.

Why is metal recycling important?

Conservation of natural resources
Mining metal ores requires enormous amounts of energy and leaves a lasting impact on the environment. Recycling reduces the demand for new raw materials, limiting environmental degradation.
Lower CO₂ emissions
Producing metals from secondary materials generates significantly less carbon dioxide than from ores – for example, recycling aluminum uses up to 95% less energy than its primary production.
Circular economy
Recycling is part of the circular economy concept, where waste is treated as a resource. It’s a step toward more sustainable development.

How does the metal recycling process work?

Collection and sorting – Metals are brought to collection points or separated from municipal waste.
Cleaning and preparation – Impurities such as paint, plastics, and organic residues are removed.
Melting – The metal is placed in furnaces where it is melted down.
Casting and forming – The processed metal is used to produce new products (e.g., car parts, steel structures, packaging).

What can we do every day?

Take used devices to electronic waste collection points.
Don’t throw cans, cables, or tools into regular bins – take them to a scrap yard.
Choose products made from recycled metal – they are often marked with a special symbol.