How Scrap Metal Recycling Helps Reduce E-Waste

The waste created the electronic is call E-waste which is one of the growing waste due to advancement and availability of electronics everywhere and imposing significant environmental challenges. In the year 2019, throughout the world an estimated over 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste, with Australia contributing more than 539,000 tonnes annually. Much of this waste ends up in landfills, releasing toxic chemicals and contributing to pollution. But the good thing is the metal components of electronics can easily be recycled and through which the e-waste can be significantly reduce e-waste and its harmful effects. In this article we will explore how scrap metal recycling can help tackle e-waste while promoting environmentally friendly practices, especially in Melbourne.

The Growing Problem of E-Waste

E-waste are the discarded of electronics such as smartphones, computers, televisions, and household appliances. These electronics contain valuable metals, such as copper, aluminum, and gold, as well as hazardous materials like lead and mercury. When e-waste is improperly disposed of, these metals and chemicals can leach into the soil and water, harming the environment and public health.  In one of their surveys, the United Nations report that only 17.4% of e-waste was formally recycled in 2019, meaning the majority ended up in landfills. The people who are living in Melbourne can help by recycling the metal components of their old electronics, keeping valuable resources out of landfills and preventing environmental pollution especially land pollution.

How Scrap Metal Recycling Reduces E-Waste

Scrap metal recycling is one of the practical ways to reduce e-waste by recovering valuable metals from old electronics. Metals like copper, aluminum, steel, and gold can be extracted from e-waste and reused in new products, reducing the need for mining and resource extraction.

• Copper: Used extensively in electronic wiring, copper is a highly valuable metal that can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality.
• Aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, aluminum is commonly found in computer casings, hard drives, and power supplies.
• Gold: Found in small amounts in circuit boards, gold is a precious metal that can be recovered through recycling.

It can be estimated that recycling 10,00000 mobile phones can recover 16,000 kilograms of copper, 350 kilograms of silver, and 34 kilograms of gold, which in terms of economy is a big number. By recycling the metallic components of electronic can help conserve these valuable resources and reduce the energy-intensive processes of mining and refining new metals.

Environmental Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling

Recycling scrap metal from electronics is an eco-friendly practice which have a number of environmental benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources.

• Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Mining and processing raw metals require significant energy, contributing to high levels of carbon emissions. Recycling metals uses up to 95% less energy than producing new metals from ore. For example, recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy required to produce it from raw materials.
• Conservation of Natural Resources: The Earth’s supply of raw metals is finite, and mining operations can cause deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution. By recycling metals from e-waste, we can conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of mining.

It is also estimated that recycling one tonne of aluminum saves 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to taking three cars off the road for a year.

E-Waste Recycling in Melbourne: How to Get Started

Melbourne residents can take part in reducing e-waste by recycling their old electronics through local recycling centers and scrap metal dealers. Many recycling facilities accept a wide range of electronic devices, including laptops, mobile phones, televisions, and kitchen appliances.

• Find Local Recyclers: Search for licensed metal recyclers or e-waste collection centers in your area. Many scrap metal yards in Melbourne specialize in processing electronics and recovering valuable metals.
• Properly Dispose of E-Waste: Don’t throw old electronics in the trash. Instead, take them to designated e-waste recycling centers. These facilities have the tools and expertise to safely extract metals and other materials for recycling.

When recycling e-waste, make sure to remove any personal data from devices by wiping hard drives and resetting smartphones to factory settings.

The Role of Metal Scrap in Melbourne’s Circular Economy

Recycling metal scrap from e-waste is a key component of Melbourne’s efforts to support a circular economy. A circular economy is a sustainable model where materials are reused and recycled, reducing waste and promoting the responsible use of resources. By recycling electronics, Melbourne can reduce its reliance on raw materials, decrease waste in landfills, and create economic opportunities in the recycling sector.

• Job Creation: The e-waste recycling industry creates jobs in collection, sorting, and processing metals, contributing to the local economy.
• Support for Local Businesses: Melbourne’s scrap metal and steel industry benefits from the steady supply of recyclable materials, allowing businesses to thrive while supporting sustainable practices.

The Australian scrap metal recycling industry is valued at over $2.5 billion, with e-waste recycling playing an increasingly important role.

Conclusion

Recycling metal components from electronic devices is a simple yet practical way to reduce e-waste and protect the environment. By participating in metal scrap recycling, Melbourne residents can help conserve valuable resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support the local economy. Whether it’s old computers, mobile phones, or household appliances, recycling electronics ensures that valuable metals like copper, aluminum, and gold are recovered and reused.

The next time you change your electronic device, do not throw the old ones away. Instead, take them to a scrap metal recycler in Melbourne, where their valuable components can be extracted and put back into use. By recycling Metal Scrap in Melbourne, you’re not only reducing e-waste but also contributing to a cleaner, greener future for the city.