Ferrous Metals vs Non-Ferrous Metals

Ferrous metals are metals that contain iron as the primary metal. These metals are widely used in the construction, transportation, and manufacturing industries. Ferrous metals are also magnetic, making them easy to identify and separate from other materials during recycling. Examples of ferrous metals include steel, cast iron, and wrought iron. Steel, the most common ferrous metal, is one of the most widely recycled materials globally. Did you know that the United States alone recycles more than 80 million tons of steel annually? Almost 69% of all steel is recycled in the US annually, more than the combined amount of paper, aluminum, plastic, and glass.

Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron as the primary metal. Examples of non-ferrous metals include aluminum, copper, brass, and lead. They are normally more corrosion and rust-resistant than ferrous metals as they don’t contain iron. These metals are also lightweight, malleable, and have excellent conductivity, making them ideal for use in the aerospace, electrical, and plumbing industries.

Home Scrap Vs. Prompt Scrap Vs. Obsolete Scrap

Home scrap and prompt scrap are residual metals from manufacturing that are not sold to the market or visible to consumers. Home scrap is used in the manufacturing facility where it was created, while prompt scrap is new and clean leftover metal from manufacturing. Prompt scrap is harder to obtain and is a high-quality metal that is not processed in-house by manufacturers.

Obsolete scrap refers to discarded consumer products that have reached the end of their useful life. Examples include old domestic appliances, vehicles, and even aluminum drink cans. Despite their name, obsolete scrap still holds value and can be repurposed through scrap metal recycling.