Because of the many uses that recycled metal can provide, thus we foresee the processes involved in recycling metals are not straight forward too. Indeed, as different metals bear different properties, different measures need to be considered and employed during the course of metal recycling. Nevertheless, it all starts with collection.
Usually, metals are gathered at various drop-off points or recycling centres so that sorting can begin. With the use of magnets, ferrous and non-ferrous metals will be separated. Ferrous metals will tend to stick towards magnet while non-ferrous metals will repel. The more valuable metals like copper, aluminium, steel, or bronze, tend to belong to the latter group. After which, one can judge, based on the colours of these metals, to find out the type of metal they are dealing with.
Metals will either be shredded into smaller pieces; being melted and moulded into various forms, or compacted before the next stage of recycling begin. All these steps are to ensure that metals, especially those that come in large pieces, are easily managed and sufficient parts are made used of without wastage. Specific recycling procedures will proceed with different types of metal, after the conclusion of basic recycling steps.
For example, metals typically found on tinned cans, will undergo a process known as “de-tinning”. Cans that are commonly found in supermarkets are made with 95% of steel with an outer layer of tin (remaining 5%) to prevent it from being rusty. The de-tinned process will start with soaking the compacted cans in chemical solution, so as to remove the outer layer of tin. Electrolysis is performed so that all the tins are accumulated on the same electroplate. The collected tin will hence be melted and made into metal cast or lump. The remaining steel part will be melted and turned into vehicle or machine parts.
Similarly, aluminium on soft drink cans is also recycled through melting and moulding into large metal sheets for the making of new containers or car parts. On the other hand, the recycling of copper is not so direct because copper is commonly used for wire covers; therefore, it is essential to ensure its quality. Only the best copper will be melted and oxidised, before being spent on wire making.
Recycling processes may or may not take place at respective recycling centres. Most of the time, metals are categorised and processed into small and compacted metal ingots before exporting out to various manufacturers for further processes.
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