The Importance of Copper Recycling
Copper has been in use by civilization for over 10,000 years and has been recycled since early times. Because it does not degrade during recycling, copper in use today could have been first fabricated into objects thousands of years ago. Copper is highly prized by scrap metal collectors and scrap metal recycling businesses. The nonferrous metal is the best conductor of electricity except for silver. That electrical and thermal conductivity, along with properties of high ductility and malleability make it one of the most demanded metals by industry, eclipsed only by iron and aluminum.
The Use of Copper in History
Copper has been used and recycled by people for over 10,000 years, with a pendant dated to approximately 87000 BC having been found in what is now northern Iraq. Around 8000 B.C., copper emerged as a substitute for stone, and by 4000 B.C., Egyptians were heating and casting copper into shapes. Around 3500 B.C., the technology of copper processing continued to grow as the process of smelting ores was discovered, harkening the introduction of the Bronze Age.
The Mediterranean island of Cypress was the source of copper used by the ancient Romans. They called the highly coveted ore “aes Cyprium,” which translates into English as “metal of Cyprus.” This name was shortened to cyprium, and later, cyprium was changed to coprum. This latter term was the genesis of the English word, “copper.”
The Environmental Importance of Copper Recycling
Copper is an essential trace element that is necessary for plant and animal health. Moderate excess exposure to copper is not associated with health risks.
As with other metals, there are significant environmental benefits to the recycling of copper. These include solid waste diversion, reduced energy requirements for processing, and natural resource conservation. For example, the energy requirements of recycled copper are as much as 85 to 90% less than the processing of new copper from virgin ore. In terms of conservation, copper is a non-renewable resource, although only 12% of known reserves have been consumed.
An emerging environmental challenge for copper is its use in the ever-increasing production of electrical products that still experience low recycling rates. This trend is changing for the better, however, through electronics recycling initiatives.
Copper Purity and Recycling
Copper is combined with other materials such as tin or solder, it can be more economical to utilize it in applications where tin or lead is required, such as gunmetals or bronzes, rather than to remove these metals through refining. re-refining is necessary to recover pure copper.
Super Metal Recycling is based in Dandenong, Victoria, servicing for all types of Scrap Metals, Unwanted Cars, Junk Cars, Free Car Removals, Wrecked Cars, Smashed Cars, throughout Melbourne Metro areas. We offer cash for Scrap Cars, specialise in Old Car Removals, Car Wreckage Removal, Recycling of old cars and Scrap Metal Recycling.
If you are at Chelsea, below is the best way to visit us.
Super Metal Recycling
345 Frankston – Dandenong Road, Dandenong South VIC 3175
(03) 9706 4909
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