It’s hard to deny the benefits of scrapping metal. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash and clear out space on your property, all while doing your part to protect the environment. While the advantages of recycling metal are well documented, what happens to scrap metal that’s not collected and disposed of properly? Here, Sgt. Scrap, a premier scrap dealer with multiple locations throughout New Jersey, explains the fate of scrap metal if it’s not recycled correctly and the negative effects this can have.
Unrecycled Metal in Landfills
Did you know the United States produces 268 million tons of trash annually? That waste finds itself in local landfills. Sadly, a large portion of waste consists of recyclable materials, including metals. Although new landfills have been created to keep up with the growing amount of waste, many experts predict landfills in the U.S. will reach their capacity very soon. Properly disposing of scrap metals helps keep recyclable materials out of landfills, ensuring landfills don’t get overcrowded with waste.
Additionally, much of the scrap metal that ends up in landfills stems from electronic items. When electronics sit in landfills for extended periods, they can release harmful toxins like mercury and cadmium into the surrounding soil and water supplies. These toxins pose a huge threat to residents and any wildlife in the area.
Wasting Natural Resources and Pollution
When you leave unused metals to deteriorate on your property or throw them away to go in landfills, you prevent them from being recycled responsibly and reused for other applications. Because of this, more metal must be mined, using more of the Earth’s resources than necessary. Furthermore, mining for new resources leads to environmental pollution from heavy machinery and equipment.
Impacting Natural Habitats
The impact of mining for new natural resources goes beyond overuse. Doing so also harms the natural environments located nearby mining sites. When specialists perform their duties and dig up land to gather new metals and materials, that’s another natural habitat destroyed where plants and wildlife would otherwise thrive. This issue can have lasting effects on ecosystems.
Responsible Metal Recycling at Sgt. Scrap
At Sgt. Scrap, we understand the importance of responsible recycling and the positive impact it can have on the environment. We take great pride in making the scrap metal process easy for our clients, encouraging all to properly dispose of their unwanted or unused metal. We’re happy to accept large assortments of metals at all of our scrap yards. The metals we buy include:
- Copper
- Radiators
- Aluminum and aluminum wire
- Stainless steel
- Turnings
- Steel
- Wheels
- Brass
- E-scrap
- Lead
- Insulated wire (#1 wire and #2 wire)
- Alloy
- Copper bearings
Being a premier scrap metal dealer, we don’t simply take old scrap metal off your hands. We’re pleased to offer our clients several specialized services, such as:
- Auto salvage: At Sgt. Scrap, you can receive cash for your damaged, totaled, or old vehicle. We will buy it from you and then recycle the metal parts responsibly.
- Mobile pickup: Customers with over 500 lb. of accumulated scrap with no means of transporting it can take advantage of our mobile pick-up services.
- Appliance recycling: Instead of storing them in your basement or storage space, discard your old or unused appliances safely and efficiently at Sgt. Scrap.
- Roll-off dumpsters: Our roll-off containers allow you to collect scrap at your own pace. Once full, our team will arrive at your location and haul it away.
Discover More From the Premier Scrap Dealer in New Jersey
The importance of disposing of your scrap metal properly can’t be understated. Recycling scrap decreases the need for mining new metals and keeps existing materials in use to help preserve the environment. With locations in Haddon Township and Pennsauken Township, NJ, Sgt. Scrap is dedicated to doing its part. To learn more about responsible metal recycling and what happens to scrap metal that isn’t disposed of responsibly, contact us today.