Buying and selling metals: What types of metals are best recycled?
Metal recycling is a key process for sustainability and the circular economy. Some metals are easier to recycle than others and hold higher market value due to their high demand and reusability. At Reciclajes y Metales Pérez, we specialise in the buying and selling of metals and want to give you a clear insight into which types of metals recycle best and why it’s important to recycle them efficiently.
1. Copper: The king of metal recycling
Recycling value: Copper is one of the most sought-after and valuable metals in the recycling market. It is used in a wide range of products, from electrical cables to plumbing systems, and its ability to be recycled without losing properties makes it one of the best metals to recycle.
Recycling process: Recycled copper retains 100% of its original properties, meaning it can be reused indefinitely without losing its quality. This factor, combined with its high market value, makes it one of the best options for metal trading.
2. Aluminium: Lightweight and easy to recycle
Recycling value: Aluminium is another of the most widely recycled metals globally. It’s used in packaging, household products, and vehicle components. One of the biggest benefits of recycling aluminium is that its processing requires 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials.
Recycling process: Aluminium can be melted down and recycled repeatedly without losing its quality. This makes it a highly sought-after material in both the automotive and packaging industries.
3. Iron and steel: Abundant and useful
Recycling value: Steel is one of the most widely used metals globally. In many cases, steel products contain a significant percentage of recycled metal. Its value lies in its wide range of industrial and construction applications, where it is fundamental.
Recycling process: Recycling steel saves up to 70% of the energy needed to produce new steel, making it an excellent option both economically and environmentally. While iron is less valuable than steel, it is also widely recycled and has many applications.
4. Lead: Highly recyclable but dangerous
Recycling value: Lead is commonly recycled, especially in car batteries. Due to its high toxicity, it is crucial to recycle it properly to avoid environmental risks.
Recycling process: Recycled lead is mainly reused in battery production but also for radiation shielding and roofing. Its recycling process is highly efficient, recovering nearly 100% of the metal.
5. Zinc: Widely recycled in construction
Recycling value: Zinc is commonly used in construction, particularly for roofing and coatings to protect other metals. Although its market value is lower than copper or aluminium, it remains a profitable metal to recycle.
Recycling process: Zinc can be efficiently recovered and reused, especially in protecting other materials from corrosion.
Why is recycling metals important?
Recycling metals is not only beneficial for the economy but also reduces environmental impact by decreasing the need to extract natural resources and lowering the amount of energy used in producing new materials. For example, recycling aluminium reduces carbon emissions and water consumption associated with bauxite mining, while recycling copper and steel helps conserve essential raw materials.
At Reciclajes y Metales Pérez, we ensure that every metal is recycled properly and efficiently, thus contributing to a circular economy that benefits both society and the planet.
