Scrap

Scrap refers to discarded or leftover material that is typically set aside during manufacturing or after consumer use. It can include metal, plastic, paper, textiles, and other sortable waste. The term also describes small remnants produced during cutting or shaping processes. In everyday usage, to scrap something means to abandon or discard it, and as a noun, a scrap can also denote a minor fight or disagreement, though this sense is less common in technical contexts.

Scrap metal is the largest subset of scrap material. It includes ferrous metals, such as steel and iron, and non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, and zinc. Common sources are manufacturing offcuts, end-of-life products, construction debris, and automotive parts. Recycling scrap metal involves collection, sorting by metal type and quality, processing into uniform streams, and melting to create new ingots or foundry feed. Compared with primary production, recycling often saves energy and reduces raw material demand.

Economics and environmental impact are central to scrap use. The scrap market functions as a global commodity, with prices influenced by metal type, grade, and market demand. Proper sorting, contamination control, and efficient recovery practices improve value and reduce environmental risks. Recycling scrap metal typically lowers landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions by offsetting energy-intensive primary production.

Other applications include the use of off-spec or reworkable material in manufacturing, where it can be reprocessed rather than discarded. The term describes a broad category of reusable or recyclable material, as well as the act of discarding or canceling plans in other contexts.