Economic And Environmental Benefits Of Copper Recycling

Copper has been an essential metal for several hundred years now. It is a highly conductive metal that is malleable, ductile, and light enough for industrial purposes. Historical accounts state that copper is among the first metals that humankind learned to work with and manipulate. In addition, it is one of only two naturally occurring metals that don’t have a silver or gray color.

Copper is one of the most ubiquitous materials in typical household and industrial products. It is one of the most sought-after recyclable materials because it doesn’t degrade in quality when processed. It is also one of the more demanded metals, next only to aluminum and iron. Its versatility makes it one of the best materials that recycling facilities always look for from their suppliers.

Households wishing to help protect the environment can take up copper recycling initiatives because it can be one of the more lucrative side hustles. Lower production in the last few years, coupled with high demand, makes copper one of the more expensive scrap metals in garages, backyards, and curbsides.

Here are some of the economic and environmental benefits of copper recycling.

Keeps natural reserves viable

Copper is one of the more durable metals that can withstand repeated recycling procedures. The copper used for household items may have been mined and processed a hundred years ago. Recycling copper helps keep natural reserves viable. Studies have shown that although only about 12% of copper is mined, it is still a finite resource that we must regulate.

Conserves energy

Processing raw copper consumes a lot of energy and can also help pollute the immediate environment. However, recycling copper materials reduces the energy needed to process it by at least 80%, which means it is already beneficial to the environment.

Reduces harmful substances 

Copper mining and refining cause the release of harmful materials and substances into the immediate environment. The process also produces carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and tailings which can leach into the groundwater. Recycling copper prevents the production of such substances and helps keep the environment safe.

Saves on production costs

Mining, processing, and refining copper is a pretty expensive procedure as it entails a lot of resources. However, when people recycle copper, they help reduce the production cost by about 90%, which, in turn, means lower resource costs translating to cheaper item prices.

Lower trash volume in landfills

Although copper is highly sought-after and recyclable, people who don’t segregate their wastes properly will tend to dump items with copper into landfills. If more people take part in recycling copper, there will be a sizable chunk of garbage that will be eliminated from landfills. In addition, recycling plants can process copper and turn them into industrial materials efficiently.

Helps create jobs

If more people recycle scrap metals like copper and aluminum, there will be more personnel needed by recycling facilities. It may not make a sizable dent in unemployment, but it does help employ people.

Endnote

Recycling copper can be a profitable venture. In addition, people can enjoy several economic and environmental benefits if they recycle scrap metals properly.