Joe Mattero Recycling

Motor vehicles contain numerous recyclable materials, including steel. Guess how many cars were recycled in the U.S. during 2011? If you guessed almost 12 million, you're right. The estimated yield of shredded scrap from those vehicles is 15.5 million tons.

If you think most aluminum is recycled, guess again. By some estimates, the reclamation value of the aluminum plowed into landfills every year is around $600 million and growing.

Did you know that more than 5,400 BTUs of energy are conserved for every pound of steel recycled? In fact, the steel industry’s annual recycling activities saves the equivalent energy to electrically power about 18 million households for a year.

Did you realize that some of the canned goods in your cupboard are sealed in steel? Yes, one common use for steel is the production of cans for home goods. Those cans contain recycled steel, too. All steel cans contain a minimum of 25 percent recycled steel.

Although millions more people are recycling their soda cans than ever before, there were still 36 billion soda cans that went into the landfill in 2012. Recycling couldn’t be more simple these days - let’s keep metal out of the landfill.

Using recycled metal to make new products is a huge energy saver. For example, using recycled steel conserves 2,500 Ibs of iron ore, 1,400 Ibs of coal, and 120 Ibs of limestone. What’s to consider?

Does your company recycle metals and other materials? By setting up a company-wide recycling system, you are being a good neighbor and helping the environment. People who appreciate you as an excellent corporate citizen are more likely to use your company’s services or products or refer others to you.

An additional motivation for recycling metals is that the cans and other metal products you collect can be redeemed at many locations for cash. Norway is an example of a country where it is extremely easy to get paid to recycle. Officials estimate that 92 percent of all cans and 82 percent of all plastic bottles are used over in the Netherlands.

Did you know that using recycled aluminum for new products actually saves 95 percent on an energy level? It saves 85 percent when using recycled copper and 74 percent for both iron and steel. Recycling your unwanted metal products is an environmental no brainer.

The US is one of the leading countries when it comes to recycling scrap metal. America annually processes more than 250 billion pounds of scrap materials, which is the equivalent weight of more than 70 million cars.

Although aluminum cans are one of the most recycled products in the country, there is room for improvement. Americans throw away enough cans in a month to keep all automakers in the United States fully supplied.

Did you know that nearly 12 million vehicles reach the end of their useful lives every year in America? Imagine if they all went into the landfill. Nearly 75 percent of an old car can be recycled and put to good use.

Have you been hesitant to recycle your scrap metal with us because you weren’t sure whether it was actually worth anything? We’re always happy to help you learn more about which types of metal we accept and pay for.