Is Rusted Metal Recyclable?
[ad_1]
In the recycling world, the condition of your products is often a crucial factor in determining its recycling market. Wet paper and broken glass are examples of tarnished products that will usually be turned away by recyclers.
But what about rusted scrap metal? If you’re trying to recycle metal furniture or car parts that have been left outside, they are likely covered in rust. Let’s get to the bottom of the impact of rust on scrap metal.
What Is Rust?
Simply put, rust occurs when iron reacts with oxygen from water or moisture to produce iron oxide. It’s actually a combustion reaction, minus the flames you would get with a fire.
Rust will appear as a reddish-brown color on the surface of metals and is rough to the touch. For metal that rusts under water, such as bridge pillars, it will instead appear green because of a reaction with chloride.
Because rust requires iron, it will only occur in metals that contain iron, such as steel. No matter how long you leave an aluminum can in water, it won’t rust. However, steel is the primary metal in engineering and manufacturing, so you’ll find it in many places around the house and in your yard. These include furniture, auto parts, nails and screws, and tin cans.
Rust can be removed from metal using household products like lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, and steel wool, or you can purchase chemicals to remove it. You can also coat metals ahead of time to prevent rusting.
If rust is left untreated, it can corrode through all the metal in your products and create holes, which will weaken the strength of these products. You probably wouldn’t want to sit in a chair or ride a bike with holes in the frame.
Rust and Recycling
When iron is first extracted from the earth, it is in an oxidized form known as ore. The smelting process involves breaking any bonds created by oxygen and iron so it can be refined into metals like steel. To recycle rusted metal, you need to remove the oxygen again.
In the recycling process for steel, the material is shredded and then melted to create new sheets of metal. If the rust is simply melted, it will re-form once the metal cools. That’s why the recycling process also includes purification, where elements like carbon can be added to bond with the oxygen and free the iron. This also removes other impurities like ink or dried paint.
However, just because rust can be removed during recycling, there are still a few factors that may affect the market for rusted steel:
- Most scrap metal yards will pay you by weight, and metal with severe rust damage will weigh less.
- Scrap metal accepted for recycling must be a majority made of metal, so if your product is half-metal and half-plastic and the metal corrodes away, it likely won’t be accepted as scrap metal.
Tips for Recycling Rusted Metal
If you’re cleaning out a garage or shed filled with metal, you’ll likely find plenty of metal products to recycle. Here are a few tips to consider:
- Coat any metals that are outside (e.g., fences, lawn furniture) to prevent rust in the first place.
- For reusable products (such as bicycles) with surface rust, use a natural process to remove the rust and donate the product to a secondhand store or charity.
- If you have products with rust holes or other major rust damage, call a scrap recycler to confirm whether or not the product is recyclable before transporting it or arranging pickup.
This article was originally published on December 4, 2017.
[ad_2]
Original Post
This is a topic close to my heart cheers, where are your contact details though?
I really like your writing style, superb info, regards for putting up :D. “Inquiry is fatal to certainty.” by Will Durant.
I’ll right away clutch your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me understand in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
so much great info on here, : D.
This really answered my downside, thanks!
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog is in the exact same niche as yours and my visitors would certainly benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Thank you!
I adore meeting useful info, this post has got me even more info! .
What i do not realize is if truth be told how you’re not actually a lot more neatly-appreciated than you may be right now. You’re so intelligent. You know thus significantly in relation to this matter, made me individually imagine it from so many various angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested unless it’s something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs great. All the time take care of it up!
I am glad to be one of several visitors on this great site (:, thanks for putting up.
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out proper here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you would like be delivering the following. unwell no doubt come more previously again since precisely the same just about very ceaselessly inside case you defend this increase.
I’d have to examine with you here. Which is not one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in reading a post that may make folks think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after reading through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
What is Alpha Tonic? Alpha Tonic stands as a natural health supplement designed to comprehensively address men’s overall well-being.
Very interesting points you have observed, appreciate it for putting up.
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my web site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
What Is Sugar Defender? Sugar Defender Drops is a powerful friend for people who want to control their blood sugar levels
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
An fascinating discussion is worth comment. I feel that you should write extra on this matter, it may not be a taboo topic but usually people are not sufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people think about worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
I haven¦t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
F*ckin¦ awesome issues here. I¦m very satisfied to see your post. Thank you so much and i’m looking ahead to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?