The Importance Of Lead (Metal) Recycling

• 11 May 2023
• by Melbourne Metal Recycling
• 0 Comments

Lead is malleable, and it resists corrosion and this is why there are various industrial uses for it. While lead is a valuable metal for these reasons, it also is toxic for humans. If people ingest or inhale lead dust or particles, they can become ill. For this and other reasons, lead recycling is important to prevent it from leaching into the ground water from landfills over time. We provide additional details about why you need to recycle lead in the following facts.

Products That Have Contained Lead Through the Years

Over the years, lead has been used in cosmetics, solder, paints, gasoline and pipes. Today, since we understand its toxicity level, lead is no longer in cosmetics or paints when they come from reputable manufacturers. You can still find lead pipes in older structures and plumbing setups. There are better safety protections in place today for people who work with lead to prevent them suffering from lead toxicity.

Lead Scrap Is Hazardous to the Environment

Due to the fact that lead is toxic to humans, you do not want it leaching into the soil and groundwater while it sits in a landfill taking years to decompose. Remember it is resistant to corrosion, and this means that it does not decompose quickly.

Recycling Lead Saves Energy

By recovering lead through recycling efforts, it saves energy since the production of lead from raw ore uses 30 percent to 40 percent more energy that using recycled lead. Up to 85 percent of the lead in use today is completely recyclable.

New Products Are Made from Recycled Lead

Another reason to recycle lead is the fact that various new products can be made from it. This keeps the recycling chain from being broken. Then, when the new products are at the end of their usefulness, you once again can recycle the lead.

Steps in Recycling Lead

• Take your lead elements to a metal recycler to learn which ones are recyclable. You will receive money in return of all viable lead scrap
• The recycler will resell the recycled lead to others in need of it
• Processing of the lead may also take place to separate it from other metals or to refine it
• Creation of new products using the recycled lead

For further facts about the importance of lead (metal) recycling, consult with Melbourne Metal Recycling. You can bring us all of your ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal along with cars, appliances and other items of metal for recycling. We will pay you the going rate to reward you in your recycling efforts.