Recycling is a very important part of environmental efforts and is a great way to conserve our limited resources. However, when it comes to scrap metal recycling, a few misconceptions persist that discourage people from making more sustainable choices regarding waste control. Our team at McSteel Salvage and Clean-Up is here to set the record straight!
Below, we’ll debunk four common myths about scrap metal recycling. We’ll also discuss how you can recycle your scrap metal from Red Deer at our metal salvaging facility in Wainwright. Keep reading!
Myth #1: Separating Metal from Trash Doesn’t Really Matter
For busy, hardworking people, the idea of sorting through trash just to find a few pieces of scrap metal often seems like a waste of time. After all, what’s the harm in letting a few metal fragments end up in the garbage? Is it really that big of a deal?
When trash is taken from your home, it goes to landfills, where your metal scrap slowly decomposes. This process leaks metals and chemicals into our water and soil and infects produce, fish, and even drinking water. If people ingest these metal-infested consumables, they can develop any number of problems, from chronic toxicity to intestinal damage. Recycling and repurposing your scrap metal can help reduce the harmful effects that metals have on people and the local ecosystem.
Myth #2: The Process is Too Complicated
The notion of recycling scrap metal turns some people off because they think it’s too much work- having to separate metal from non-recyclable materials, cleaning out the debris, and transporting it to a scrap yard. However, it’s simpler than you might think. At McSteel, we don’t require our customers to extract scrap metal ahead of time- we’ll do it for you! All you have to do is clean out any substances that might be harmful, such as compressed gases or flammable liquids- we’ll handle the rest, from scrap metal pick-up to dismantling.
Myth #3: Scrap Yards Aren’t Safe
Many people have never been to recycling or salvaging facilities because they think they’ll be dangerous and difficult to navigate. However, metal recycling centers are very safe places, as they have to comply with specific local guidelines and standards.
At McSteel, safety is our number one priority. We work with specialized equipment and handle sensitive materials, which is why all of our employees are trained in essential safety procedures, including H2S, First Aid, and Radiation. Our safety compliance protocols include COR and CAREC. Just like other scrap yards, we do our utmost to ensure a safe and secure recycling experience for our customers and team members!
Myth #4: Scrap Metal Recycling Isn’t Environmentally Friendly
A common recycling myth is that scrap metal recycling doesn’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, this myth is far from the truth! Scrap metal recycling conserves many natural resources, such as iron ore. Reusing metals also saves a significant amount of energy to manufacture new metal components—more than enough energy to run over 15 million homes per year!
Choose McSteel for Scrap Metal Recycling
Despite some common misconceptions about scrap metal recycling, there is no doubt that it’s a sustainable and effective practice! If you have scrap metal in Red Deer, bring your load to our McSteel location in Wainwright, Alberta. We’ll weigh your scrap load and offer you a price based on competitive market rates.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.