Why recycle non-ferrous waste ?
Non-ferrous waste is an integral part of our day-to-day lives. We are surrounded by it. Recycling these materials means no longer relying on traditional mining (the impacts of which include deforestation, excessive consumption of water, soil pollution, etc.) and reintroducing materials in a continuous cycle into the equipment production process.
It is worth noting that recycled aluminium consumes 95% less energy in its production than extracted aluminium.
What is non-ferrous waste ?
The table below includes the main groups of non-ferrous metals and their most common uses.
| Non-ferrous metals | Where to find them ? |
|---|---|
| Copper | Plumbing, kitchen utensils, electrical cables and panels, engines, etc. |
Stainless steel | Stairs, railings, industrial and kitchen equipment: sinks, pots, cutlery, etc. |
| Aluminium | Construction equipment: doors, roofing, window frames, ladders, stoves, etc. |
| Brass | Decorative items: candlesticks, handles, etc. Plumbing: taps, fittings, etc. |
| Zinc | Construction materials: roofing, cladding, gutters, etc. |
| Lead | Plumbing, roofing elements, car batteries, etc. |
What happens to your non-ferrous waste ?
First, the non-ferrous waste collected must be sent to the B.R.MET Brussels processing centre to be sorted, processed and/or crushed.
These steps prepare the material before it is introduced back into the production cycle in the foundry. Metals are endlessly recyclable and do not lose their physical and chemical properties.