metallinkierrätyksen

Metallinkierrätys, often translated as metal recycling, is the process of reprocessing used metal into new products. This practice is crucial for conserving natural resources, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing the environmental impact associated with mining and manufacturing virgin metals.

The process typically begins with the collection of scrap metal from various sources, including household waste, industrial byproducts, and demolition sites. This collected material is then sorted by type and composition, often using magnetic separators to distinguish ferrous metals from non-ferrous metals. Once sorted, the metal is cleaned to remove any contaminants like paint, plastic, or dirt.

Following cleaning, the scrap metal is melted down in furnaces. The molten metal is then purified to remove impurities and adjusted to meet specific alloy requirements. Finally, the refined molten metal is cast into ingots or directly into new products, completing the recycling loop.

The benefits of metallinkierrätys are substantial. It significantly reduces the need for raw material extraction, which can cause habitat destruction and pollution. Furthermore, recycling metals often requires considerably less energy than producing them from ore. For example, recycling aluminum can save up to 95% of the energy needed to make it from bauxite. This energy saving translates into lower greenhouse gas emissions. Common metals recycled include steel, aluminum, copper, lead, and brass.