There are many different types of recycled metal. You might be wondering, “what can metal be used for?” Aluminum cans, appliances, and containers are among the most prevalent metals that can be recycled. Luckily, you don’t have to throw them away; they can be recycled and turned into something new. 

Aluminum cans

There are places you can take aluminum cans for recycling in many communities. You can also take your cans to your local recycling center designed specifically for this type of material. Using Google Maps, search for “aluminum can recycling near me” to find a convenient location. While recycling your cans during trash pickup may be convenient, this is not the most effective method for reusing them and wastes a lot of money.

Recycling your aluminum cans will save you money and the environment. Over 80% of the metal in a can is recyclable. You can make more money than you spend by recycling your aluminum cans. You’ll also be doing your part to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and landfill mass. The process is easy. You need to gather all the cans you consume and place them in the right container for recycling. Once you have the metal, the machines will separate the aluminum from the rest of the materials. When recycling your aluminum cans, you’ll want to avoid mixing in your food scraps or other recyclable items.

Appliances

Recycling old appliances will benefit both the environment and the human population. It will be cheaper and more energy-efficient, but the metal and glass used in appliances can be recycled into new products. The benefits of recycling are many:

1. It keeps three-fifths of trash from entering landfills and incinerators.
2. If you recycle appliances properly, you’ll be saving valuable resources.

Considering the many different appliances you may own, consider buying a newer version to recycle. Old appliances contain valuable metal. According to the Steel Recycling Institute, a typical refrigerator has around 60 percent steel. Therefore, appliances with a high amount of iron should be separated for recycling. You can donate them for scrap metal if you’ve got an old refrigerator, dishwasher, or washing machine. The rest of the appliance can be reused as scrap metal. However, if you have large appliances that can’t be recycled, you must follow the proper guidelines to prevent contaminating the environment.

Home furnishings

You can turn metal into home furnishings. There are many ways to turn recycled metal into home furnishings, including melted-down aerosol cans. These cans can be reshaped into just about any form, including furniture. Some items can look brand new, thanks to their recycled metal content. Some examples are table tops made from large clock faces, chairs made from airplane doors, etc. In the UK alone, over 600 million aerosol cans are recycled each year.

Recycled metals make beautiful home furnishings, but they are also good for the environment. Recycled metals are 95% more energy-efficient than new materials. It means that one ton of recycled aluminum is enough to power 20 million homes for an entire year! Recycling also prevents pollution caused by mining and helps reduce waste. By recycling, you can practice eco-responsibility in your home while also enjoying the aesthetic benefits of recycled metal furnishings.

Containers

Many types of metals can be recycled into containers, including aluminum, steel, copper, brass, bronze, silver, and gold. You can save natural resources and reduce waste going to landfills by recycling these materials. To recycle metal, you should sort your items properly. Rinse them before placing them in the recycling bin. Most “bottles & cans” recycling bins are located in kitchens, dining rooms, and hallways.

When separating recyclable materials, remove any food or oil residue. Dirty recyclables can cause a mess and require more energy and water than they should. Moreover, dirty recyclables can end up in landfills, so they’re best avoided. Remove any labels and tags so that they can be appropriately recycled. The recycling process can be complicated for metal products containing toxins or other substances.