There are over 150 grades of stainless steel, and around 15 of these are commonly used in everyday items, for a range of purposes. This includes cutlery, plates, coils, bars, sheets and tubing for use in industrial and domestic settings. But did you know that this is also a metal that can be 100% recycled, despite being an alloy? Well, here at X-Met Metals, we are the North West’s leading mobile scrap metal collectors. We cover the North West region, including Chorley, Frodsham, Manchester and Ormskirk, and we provide a unique and professional mobile scrap metal collection service. This involves collecting your scrap metals and WEEE waste, including stainless steel, from wherever you are, at a time and location suitable for you, and paying you at the time too. As a result, we have produced this guide to everything you should know about recycling stainless steel.
Stainless steel is an alloy
All steel is an alloy. And for this reason, there is a common misconception that stainless steel can not be fully recycled. But this is not the case. In fact, as well as iron, stainless steel contains other incredibly valuable raw materials. These include chromium and nickel. As a result, recycling stainless steel is incredibly economically viable.
Why is recycling stainless steel important?
So, why is it a good idea to recycle your stainless steel? Well, recycled stainless steel is actually an important part of the steel making process. And there are two different types of stainless steel scrap, including:
- Reclaimed scrap- this is scrap stainless steel that has been used, and reached the end of it’s life. This could include industrial equipment, tanks, washing machines and refrigerators that have reached the end of their service life. This type of stainless steel scrap makes up about 25% of the 60% recycled stainless steel.
- Industrial scrap- this includes industrial returns or production off-cuts from manufacturing by industrial engineering and fabrication sources.
More recycled stainless steel, means that there is more steel to be used both for industry and construction, but also for small domestic purposes too. With more metals taken from recycled sources, there will be less need to mine for new materials, protecting the environment, and also helping the economy.
Global market for recycled stainless steel
With a growing, global market for recycled stainless steel, the value of your scrap can be dependent on a range of factors, that are frequently fluctuating. But either way, recycling your scrap stainless steel with us here at X-Met Metals is sure to put money in your pocket, instead of taking it away. We buy all manner of stainless steel and we come to you to collect it. So you don’t even need to consider fuel costs, or your time. Instead, we can weigh and pay for your stainless steel, and any other scrap you might have, at a time and location chosen by you.
For more information about our mobile scrap metal collection service, get in touch with the North West’s leading stainless steel buyers today, here at X-Met Metals.