The push towards a more sustainable society is greater than ever. From the way we shop to the way we dine, we look for ways to be more environmentally responsible. Large companies and manufacturers have been doing the same. By choosing the most environmentally friendly metals, they make the effort to be a preferable choice to clients and the environment. If you’re interested in what kinds of eco-friendly options exist for manufacturers, keep reading below.
Scrap Metal
This may not be the first choice for large manufacturing plants, but it’s still worth mentioning because it’s the eco-friendliest option to use. If you’re working on a smaller project, locate your nearest metal shop. The chances of them selling scrap metal at a fraction of the price of virgin metal are high.
Recycled Metal
Similarly, by using recycled material, you can save yourself quite of a bit of money. For large manufacturers, choosing to use recycled metals is a great way to demonstrate their ethical practices and commitment towards a greener society.
The heat and electricity used to refine the ores that create metal have the biggest effects on the environment. By using recycled metals, corporations and manufacturers avoid this damaging step in the process altogether. In fact, recycled metals require only a fraction of the energy needed to produce virgin metal.
Steel
Steel is one of the most durable and accessible materials out there. However, that’s not the best part about it. The fact that steel is 100% recyclable makes it the one of the best materials to work with. When steel is produced, it has an infinite life cycle. It may reach the end of its life in a specific product or building, but it can be fully recovered and reused afterwards. It’s also easy to retrieve in the recycling process due to its magnetic properties. Stainless steel is one of the most common steel alloys on the market, but it’s important to keep in mind that there are many different types of stainless steel, such as Austenitic and Duplex Steel.
Aluminum
Although its production isn’t the best for the environment, aluminum is another green metal to use and recycle. This is because no matter how many times it’s melted down to be reused, it doesn’t lose its strength or reliability. It’s also economical to recycle, and it can bring steady income to municipalities. Aluminum and it’s alloys, such as quality aluminum bronze, are often used in marine applications for it’s high corrosion resistance.
We’ve listed some of the most common and most environmentally friendly metals here, but one last metal worth mentioning is naval brass. Recycling it uses less energy than steel and aluminum. Here at Weiland Diversified, you can trust our team of experts to provide you with the eco-friendliest metal options. If you have any questions, give us a call.