Does your industrial Phoenix business recycle its scrap metal? If so, you’re choosing to make a sustainable business decision. Perhaps your business uses recycled metals for its manufactured products, utilizes clean energy sources, low emission delivery services, or prides itself on low waste. These are all signs of operating a sustainable business. Scrap metal recycling can be a great way to dip your toe into sustainability initiatives. Sustainability may sound like a buzzword but it has great meaning behind it.
What is Sustainability?
sus·tain·a·ble səˈstānəb(ə)l/ adjective
- The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
- Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.
Avoid the Depletion of Natural Resources
Mining for raw ore (a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal can be extracted) is incredibly invasive. In order to extract raw materials from the earth, miners not only need to remove natural resources, but there are many other implications which follow shortly after. Toxic runoff from the mining practices can affect the soil, waterways, and wildlife, compromising all factors of our natural environment. It also releases metallic dust, asbestos-like materials, and toxic compounds into the air. The great thing about recycling metals is that they can be recycled indefinitely without their quality being impacted. From a financial standpoint, recycling can actually put money right back into your company’s hands. Purchasing recycled materials does the very same thing, as digging for raw materials is very expensive, the recycled method is both cost-effective and eco-friendly.
Conserve Energy
According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, “recycling a ton of steel conserves 1,400 lbs of coal, 2,500 lbs of iron ore, and 120 lbs of limestone; and can save enough electricity to power 18 million households for a year.” Even the energy saved by recycling one single aluminum can is enough to power a television set for three hours. Newly extracted materials need to be processed in order to be ready for distribution. This is an energy-intensive process that is not necessary given the amount of recycled metals on the market. By upcycling and repurposing scrap metals, your business can lower its carbon footprint by cutting down on energy consumption.
Advertise Your Sustainability Practices
Wear SUSTAINABILITY as a badge of honor. Your customers want to hear about your business’s efforts toward a greener planet. Let them know if you’re exploring compostable packaging, using low-emission delivery methods, or upcycling waste; it’s important to be transparent with your customer base. By choosing to conserve energy and not contribute to mining practices, your eco-friendly Maricopa organization can take a big step towards becoming a more sustainable industrial business.
