Recycling is one of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint and do your part to help the planet. Among the most commonly repurposed materials is iron. This type of scrap metal otherwise ends up in a landfill, but going through the salvage process spares it from damaging the environment. It can also save money by minimizing the need to extract any virgin metal. Here’s what you should know about the process.

Iron Usage

Iron is a highly desirable raw material that provides numerous uses across a wide range of industries. As a recycled component, it’s used in everything from vehicle production to construction projects. The material’s strength is credited for its widespread usage in railroad and aircraft manufacturing.

Recycled iron can also be used in electric arc furnaces to develop metal products of greater integrity. For example, metal furnishings boast considerable durability and longevity. The material can even be useful for artistic purposes, like an aesthetic addition to the exterior of the home or an interior sculpture.

Iron Recycling Process

Recycling scrap metal is a multistage process. The material is sorted from other metals with the help of magnetic belts. It’s then crushed with a compactor, so it’s easier to hammer down to shredded pieces. More magnets are used to separate the ferrous metal from any lingering residue. The material is inspected once again before it’s recovered for different applications.

Baling is used to complete the process. It involves using hydraulic equipment to efficiently cut heavy-duty pieces of iron for large-scale construction projects. When iron is baled, the metal is pressed into large chunks that are transported to different manufacturers for production use.

If you want to recycle iron and other scrap metals, turn to Holmes Iron & Metal in Salisbury, NC. This facility accepts a variety of materials, like iron, copper, brass, and aluminum, and their team will offer top dollar for your scrap. To get more information about their recycling services, visit their website or call (704) 633-6119.