Did you know steel is recyclable? In fact, steel is the world’s most recycled material. Technically, steel is considered a “green” product despite its metallic nature. However, the process of recycling stainless steel is quite complex & involves several steps in order to do it properly. What are the exact steps?
In this article, we briefly run down the fascinating process of recycling stainless steel & give you specific reasons why you should do it. Let’s begin.
Complete the Loop
To get things out of the way first, you cannot recycle stainless steel (or any steel) by yourself. You need to bring the material to a professional scrap yard or recycling center. Once the material is brought to the scrapper, the following steps occur:
1. The metal is collected, sorted & then graded for organizational purposes.
2. Heavy duty machines shred the metal into small, uniform pieces. This is done to make the upcoming melting process easier & also washes away any impurities.
3. The metal is finally melted & refined. The material itself is subjected to temperatures over 2,500° F. During the melting phase, specific elements such as chromium or nickel are added to fine tune the recycled metal.
4. The molten, melted down metal is crafted into solid shapes so it can be rolled into sheets, bars, tubes, etc. The process is then complete!
The above process only takes a mere several hours & the recycled stainless steel retains all properties such as strength & corrosion resistance as the original. The recycled metal can also be used immediately in your projects.
For an informative video breaking down these processes visually, click here.
Why Recycle?
So, now you know the process, but why do it? There are several reasons:
1. It Saves Energy – the steel recycling process is much more energy efficient than mining, refining & creating new materials. It’s estimated that manufacturing stainless steel from scrap uses up to 70% less energy.
2. Lifespan is Limitless – Steel has no breakdown when it is recycled so it can be potentially upcycled into higher grade products if necessary.
3. Less Greenhouse Emissions – carbon emissions are drastically reduced so the environmental impact is diminished significantly.
First Steps
With all the above information, it’s time to play your part. If your stainless steel products have reached the end of their life cycle, it’s time to consider taking them in for recycling. You can do a quick search online for your local scrap yard & start your own recycling journey. Be wary that most sanitation departments will not accept steel in curbside bins, so be sure to check the proper disposal methods.
IMC/Teddy has been working with stainless steel for over 70 years, so we know the ins & outs of the material. Stainless steel is one of the most versatile materials in the world & it happens to be one of the most sustainable as well. For a closer look at our mission, click here.
