With the way technology is advancing these days, it’s not surprising to see old electronics like computers thrown out into the trash. That being said, there are still many ways to recycle and reuse old computers like this one without throwing them in your garbage bin... read more
You have probably heard of a cast iron skillet. If you’re really lucky, you’ve eaten some amazing food made in one. However, skillets aren’t the only thing made from cast iron. This metal is actually a very popular material used in making many outdoor items and construction materials.
What Is Cast Iron? Cast iron is a metal that is made of various elements, mostly iron, carbon and silicon. It is hard and very strong. It’s manufactured as it has been for centuries through heating ingredients in a blast furnace to get molten iron. This is then put in molds and left to harden. How Is It Used? You already know that cast iron is used to make some great cooking skillets, but it also is used in many outdoor projects. It is a good product for this because it has a naturally developed protective film that is corrosion resistant, making it superior over wrought iron and steel. Some ways it may be used in outdoor products include: *Historic plaques *Stairs *Decorative features on buildings Cast iron may also be used in construction. This is because it is strong, durable and inexpensive. Also, since it is made through being molded, it can be molded into a variety of shapes. Some of the ways it is used in construction include: *Door hinges *Columns *Pipes *Tools *Stoves Cast iron is a pretty useful metal. While it can’t really be changed once molded, that doesn’t stop it from being molded into plenty of great products, like all those talked about here. Visit this website to learn more about recycle cast iron in Santa Clara. The concept of zero waste continues to spread. Many companies have worked to achieve “landfill free” status at their facilities. On the public level, the ranks of states, counties and cities with zero waste initiatives on the books are also growing... read more
Did you know that aircraft parts could be made from recycled aluminum cans? It’s true. A beer can is made of 99% aluminum, and a soft drink can is 97% aluminum. Fortunately, aluminum is simple to recycle, and a beverage can might also find a new life as an automotive part. Who knew that vehicles and airplanes could benefit from drinking soda and beer? Recycling aluminum boasts many other benefits.
The largest component of aluminum scrap is beverage cans. Most are recycled right back into cans. Recycling old cans into new cans uses 95 percent less energy and makes 95 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than creating new cans completely from scratch. The recovered aluminum processed each year saves the energy equal to 1.3 billion gallons of gasoline. Research from the International Aluminum Institute concludes that aluminum can be infinitely recycled and indicates that seventy five percent of the one billion tons of the aluminum ever produced is still in use. Aluminum cans are the most valuable item in the municipal waste system. In 2011, the value of the recovered aluminum more than covered the cost of processing and collection. This shows that recycling cans can help to subsidize the collection of a large variety of other types of recyclable materials. Ninety million tons of carbon dioxide is prevented from being released into the air each year because of the process of recycling aluminum. Recycling one, single can will reduce carbon dioxide emissions equal to driving in the car for one mile and will save enough energy to power a television for at least three hours. Adding lightweight, recycled aluminum into vehicles makes them more efficient and lighter. More efficient and lighter cars save fossil fuels. The global demand for aluminum continues to rise. Manufacturers, today, use 35 percent of recovered aluminum and 65 percent of primary aluminum to make their products. The industry hopes to reach a self-imposed goal of a rate of 75 percent recycling. It is currently at about a 60 percent rate. In an effort to satisfy demand, the aluminum industry is hoping to work with communities and society as a whole to encourage more recycling. A used aluminum soda or beer can could be recycled, remade, and reprocessed and ready for re-sale in just about 60 days. In one year, that same can could be recycled eight different times, which would save enough energy to produce 160 new cans. Making the decision to recycle will boost our economy and preserve our environment. For additional information on aluminum recycling in San Jose, please feel free to visit this website. |