Copper has been used by a number of ancient civilisations throughout time. In ancient Egypt, it was used to disinfect wounds and sterilise water. In ancient Rome, it was used as currency, but also to craft weapons and armour. Aside from this, it was also used to make tools, jewellery, ornaments, cookware in a variety of different countries. Then fast track to today, and you’ll find that the presence of copper is virtually all around us; at home, at work, and even out in public.
As an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity, copper is highly suitable for use in electrical goods such as TVs and computers, whilst also being ideal for use in motor vehicles, heating and air conditioning units. The fact that copper is also less likely to corrode makes it excellent for use in plumbing and wiring applications. Of course, the growing demand for copper makes the recycling of this material even more imperative. And as a finite resource, it’s up to us to make full use out of the amount of copper that we are able to get our hands on.
One of the great things about recycling copper is the fact that recycled copper retains up to 90% of its original value. As such, it is highly sought after by a variety of industries. If you want to learn more about the ins and outs of copper recycling, then read on to find out 5 important things you should know about copper recycling:
1. It Saves Companies Money
As we just mentioned, recycled copper retains up to 90% of its original value, making it much cheaper for businesses to use recycled copper during production as opposed to newly mined ore. The process of mining resources is a much more expensive and time-consuming feat as opposed to recycling unused or unwanted materials. Businesses which choose to recycle their copper instead of sending it to landfill will help to create a greater supply of recycled copper that can be distributed out to other businesses. Those businesses can then save money throughout their operations, and reflect this back onto their customers.
2. It’s Incredibly Sustainable
Apart from being 100% recyclable, copper also boasts an extensive life cycle, making it perfect for applications where durability and easy maintenance is highly favourable. Copper ensures to retain its performance despite being recycled multiple times. For this reason, it’s perfect for use in a number of sustainable applications. In particular, copper has been found to be an excellent material for use as roofing, especially when compared to wood or synthetic tiles.
3. It Lowers Environmental and Human Harm
Mining can have devastating effects on the environment. First off, it can contribute towards air pollution, as well as water pollution through toxic runoff. In addition to this, it also destroys animal habitats and sacred sites, and causes the land to degrade or triggers unstable conditions. Exposure to high levels of copper can also provide as a massive health risk to mining workers, capable of triggering respiratory problems and even increasing risk factors for coronary heart disease. On the other hand, a reduced demand for copper mining can work to lower these negative effects on both human workers and the environment.
4. It Conserves Precious Resources
Naturally, increased recycling of scrap copper would lessen the demand for new ores, meaning that mining operations could be reduced, and virgin ores could be saved and conserved. Copper recycling helps to make use out of our finite resources, instead of sending them to landfill when they still have loads of life left in them.
5. Almost All Scrap Metal Yards Accept It
Copper is accepted by almost every scrap metal dealer out there. So, if you’ve got scrap copper on your hands that you’re wanting to get rid of, it’s easier than ever for you to dispose of it, whilst also ensuring to gain a little bit of extra cash in return. Being one of the most profitable materials for recycling in the industry, scrap metal dealers love receiving unwanted copper from businesses.
At Allied Metal Recyclers, we specialise in the recycling of a number of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, including the recycling of copper. To find out more about our copper recycling services, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We can deliver a bin to collect your scrap copper within 24 hours, or we can organise for a yard clearance on your site!
