One of the largest contributions of Salvage Michigan is the recycling and selling of metals. Construction waste reduction started in the 70s and lost its momentum soon in the following decades; however, recycling metals and other construction materials holds the largest incentive today. There’s a range of advantages for recycled metals, like new jobs created with new recycling facilities and the conservation of energy by repurposing construction metals.
Environmental Benefits
Recycled metals help reduce the use of landfill space. Another advantage about recycling metals is to help prevent air and water pollution. By recycling metals, energy and raw materials are conserved with the decreased production of new metal. Above all, the process of recycling and reclamation of metals helps reduce greenhouse emissions.
Economic Benefits
There are expanding opportunities for the market of construction materials. As a result of the expansion, the recycling industry has created a whole new job trade compared to landfill disposal. In addition to that, money is saved through the reduction in construction, transportation, and material costs. Recycling and reclaiming construction metals offers a more budget-friendly and eco-friendly materials for any project.
There is a developing market for construction materials. Independent stores, like Salvage Michigan, offer a wide variety of construction materials for local projects. While larger companies, like Habitat for Humanity, combine the salvaging and selling of recycled materials. Even on an individual level, there’s auctions for people to buy, sell, or donate recyclable materials to their communities.
Sources
Whirlind Team. “Recycling Metal: Recovering Construction and Demolition Materials”. April 2016. https://www.whirlwindsteel.com/blog/recycling-metal-recovering-construction-and-demolition-materials