The Benefits Of Recycling Steel

Did you know that steel is the most recycled metal in the world? Well, that fact is currently becoming even more prominent as the UK government’s demand for steel recycling is growing further.

Learn more below, as we break down which changes are currently shaping the steel recycling industry, the benefits of steel recycling and why you should partner with KAS Metal Trading for all of your scrap metal needs.

What are the different types of steel?

Before we get into the benefits of recycling steel, let’s dive into the different types and how they are graded to give you a better idea of their individual value:

1. Carbon Steel: The most common type of steel, accounting for 90% of total steel production and containing only small traces of other metal components. This means carbon steel is typically worth more as clean, pure metals are always more valuable.
2. Alloy Steel: Made by combining steel with additional alloys including nickel, copper, chromium or aluminium to improve the strength, ductility, corrosion resistance and machinability of the metal.
3. Stainless Steel: Commonly used in electronic devices, stainless steel is alloyed with 10-20% chromium, nickel, silicon, manganese and carbon which gives the metal an exceptionally high weather and corrosion resistance.
4. Tool Steel: Used in cutting and drilling equipment as the presence of tungsten, molybdenum, cobalt and vanadium provides high heat-resistance and durability.

How are different types of steel graded & why?

Grades of steel are determined by their use case. In the UK and across Europe, steel is graded using the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) Standard Coding System. Certain types of steel are also graded using the BSI (British Standards Institution). 

These standards are put in place to classify the quality and consistency of the steel for scientists, engineers, architects, automotive workers and governmental bodies. These classifications help them to determine the application for different types of steel.

What are the benefits of recycling steel?

• Reduces Energy Consumption: The time, energy and expenses used to mine valuable resources can be significantly reduced via steel recycling. Did you know? For every tonne of recycled steel, it saves one and a half tonnes of iron ore, half a tonne of coal, and 40% of the water that would have been used in the production process.
• Diverts Landfill Waste: The more scrap steel is recycled, the more waste is diverted from landfills. Over time, this makes for a much cleaner environment and can reduce groundwater, soil and surface water pollution.
• Protects Biodiversity: Open-pit mining removes vegetation and topsoil to access raw materials, destroying the habitats of various plants and animals. But steel recycling reduces the need to mine, protecting local wildlife and preserving their natural ecosystems.
• Easy to Recycle: Alongside the good it does for the planet, steel is also one of the easiest packaging materials to recycle in the world! Being 100% recyclable, the process can be repeated multiple times, without damaging any of the metal’s original properties. 

Which changes are currently shaping the steel recycling industry?

• Plan for Steel: As the UK government continues to strive for net zero, they have put in place a ‘Plan for Steel’ which will eventually replace carbon-intensive infrastructure with low-carbon steel production. This transition is already underway, with investments in new technologies, such as electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), occurring as we speak.
• Increased Demand: The road to net zero is also causing an increased demand for secondary (recycled) steel production, as this creates significantly less CO2 emissions than primary (virgin) steel production.
• Focus on Circular Economy: Another impact caused by the government’s ‘zero-emissions by 2050’ target is the shifted focus towards a circular economy. This puts the pressure on scrap metal recyclers and steelmaking companies to improve supply chains and maintain a regular output of high-grade, recycled steel.

Scrap Steel Prices

Scrap steel prices, and scrap metal prices in general, vary depending on the type, grade and quantity of metal you bring to our scrap yard. But at KAS, one thing remains the same – you’ll always receive the best value.

That’s because all of our prices are based on the London Metal Exchange (LME), the world hub for industrial metal hedging, trading and pricing. This approach makes sure you always get the most competitive price at the time of trading. Read our full guide to the LME for more information.

Choose KAS for Your Steel Recycling

Not sure what to do with scrap steel from previous jobs? Visit our safe and reliable local scrapyard today to weigh-it-in with Kas – earn some extra cash, free up some space on the way to your next job and do your bit for the environment. 

We Can Guarantee…

✅ The very best scrap metal prices, always based on the London Metal Exchange (LME).

✅ Fast turnarounds, allowing you to get back to what you do best as soon as possible!

✅ Flexible same-day payments (before 4pm) via cheques, bank transfers or our very own pre-paid card method.

Give us a call, email or visit our local scrap metal yard at M46 0RY today. Based in Atherton, our scrap metal merchants can also service the following locations:

• Astley
• Bolton
• Chorley
• Farnworth
• Lancashire
• Leigh
• Manchester
• Preston
• Salford
• Tyldesley
• Walkden
• Westhoughton
• Wigan
• Worsley

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