BENEFITS OF RECYCLING STAINLESS STEEL Environmental concerns are a big part of today's economy. Recycling is an accessible way for businesses and industries to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to helping the environment. However, using recyclable materials isn't just eco-friendly; it's costeffective.
According to research published in recycling accounted for savings of nearly 33% of the energy used in current austenitic stainless-steel production worldwide.
In a perfect scenario in which all stainless steel came from 100% recycled stainless global energy consumption used in stainless steel production would drop a further 51%.
Since recycling stainless steel does not cause degradation, the amount of recycled content in stainless is often a matter of scrap availability.
More scrap availability means less pollution, reduced energy requirements, and lower costs for both producers and buyers of stainless steel.
HOW IS STAINLESS STEEL RECYCLED? Stainless steel scrap falls into one of two categories: Reclaimed scrap (also known as old scrap) Industrial scrap (also known as new scrap) Reclaimed scrap comes from finished products such as chemical tanks, structural elements, equipment, or the structural remains of demolition. It's often seen use already. Hence the alternate name: old scrap.
Industrial scrap is the trimmings and excess from manufacturing, fabrication, or construction. The leftover pieces of sheet, trimmed rods, and other bits of waste from using stainless as a production material. It's not used; it's just no longer valid in its current form. Hence the alternate name: new scrap.
While you can recycle stainless steel in any quantity, it's often most cost-efficient to collect it in stainless steel bins or store scrap until you have enough for collection from a stainless steel recycling service.