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2752 Simpson Cir, Norcross, GA 30071

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Reusing metal to save the planet

Progressive Recycling cares about our planet. We recycle all type of metals to help our environment.

About Metals


Steel


Steel is one of the most recycled materials in the world, and, as of 2007, more than 78% of steel was recycled in the United States. In the United States it is the most widely recycled material; in 2000, more than 60 million metric tons were recycled.

The most commonly recycled items are containers, automobiles, appliances, and construction materials. For example, in 2007, more than 97% of structural steel and 110% of automobiles were recycled, comparing the current steel consumption for each industry with the amount of recycled steel being produced. A typical appliance is about 75% steel by weight and automobiles are about 65% steel and iron.

Read more: Steel

Copper


Copper is 100% recyclable without any loss of quality whether in a raw state or contained in a manufactured product. Copper is the third most recycled metal after iron and aluminium. It is estimated that 80% of the copper ever mined is still in use today. Common grades of copper for recycling are:

  • Bare bright - very clean and pure copper wire usually 12 AWG or larger that has insulation and any tarnish removed
  • #1 copper - pipe with a new appearance and free of any foreign material
  • #2 copper - pipe with corrosion or foreign material and small gauge wire with no insulation
Read more: Copper

Aluminium


Aluminium is 100% recyclable without any loss of its natural qualities. Recovery of the metal via recycling has become an important facet of the aluminium industry.

Recycling involves melting the scrap, a process that requires only five percent of the energy used to produce aluminium from ore. However, a significant part (up to 15% of the input material) is lost as dross (ash-like oxide). The dross can undergo a further process to extract aluminum.

Recycling was a low-profile activity until the late 1960s, when the growing use of aluminium beverage cans brought it to the public awareness.

Read more: Aluminium

Aluminium Cans


Aluminium beverage cans are usually recycled in the following basic way:

  1. Cans are first divided from municipal waste, in utilisation of an ECS.
  2. Cans are cut into little, equal pieces to lessen the volume and make it easier for the machines which separate them.
  3. Pieces are cleaned chemically/mechanically.
  4. Pieces are blocked to minimise oxidation losses when melted. (The surface of aluminium readily oxidizes back into aluminium oxide when exposed to oxygen.)
  5. Blocks are loaded into the furnace and heated to 750 °C ± 100 °C to produce molten aluminium.
Read more: Aluminium Cans