When it comes to trash and recycling, proper disposal plays an integral role in protecting the environment and human health. Certain items, such as heavy metals, contain toxic chemicals that have detrimental consequences when discarded incorrectly. Here’s what you need to know about why appropriate metal recycling is so important.

Your Guide to the Importance of Metal Recycling

What Are Heavy Metals?

Heavy metals are elements that occur naturally in the earth and are used in the manufacturing of tools, equipment, devices, and appliances in the medical, technological, and agricultural industries. They contain high levels of toxic chemicals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, which makes proper disposal crucial. Many household items, such as copiers and thermometers, also contain these metals. 

What Are the Health & Environmental Concerns?

Even at low exposure levels, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers heavy metals carcinogenic and has linked them to multiple forms of organ damage. Lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic produce toxic emissions that pollute our air and water supplies, which may also contaminate our food. As a result, humans are more vulnerable to neurological damage, kidney failure, lung cancer, gastrointestinal diseases, and melanoma when improper heavy metal disposal causes these chemicals to leach into the environment. 

How Do You Recycle Metal?

Reduce harm to the environment and protect your health by taking caution when you discard heavy metals. Common household items such as paint, batteries, rubber, and tin cans may contain dangerous amounts of toxic chemicals, so do not toss them out with your regular garbage. Similarly, if you have scrap metals from an old vehicle or construction site, don’t throw these into a roll-off bin. Get in touch with your local metal recycling team who will either repurpose them or safely hold onto them for later use. 

When you have unwanted metals on your property, allow Metalico Rochester to take them off your hands. They also offer used auto parts sales and computer recycling, including convenient scrap metal pickup services, in Rochester and Bergen, NY. Call them at (585) 436-0713 to speak with a representative about selling your scrap metals. Visit them online to learn more about their environmentally conscious metal recycling practices.