So, as well as lowering landfill levels, recycling metals helps reduce the amount of mining we need to do in the future. This brings up the point that recycling reduces a country’s need to mine for new materials. Dan says there are signs that China will not be able to continue their self-sufficiency, which is why he believes they will re-enter the international market within 5 to 10 years. China is also trying to become self-sufficient in producing scrap metal which is why they are not currently accepting other country’s recycling materials.

However, due to China’s recent reluctance to accept our recycling, Dan’s company is focusing on exporting to other countries for the time being.ĭan explains that China is facing a pollution problem and is having trouble managing their waste. Colorado Iron and Metal also exports metals to other countries like Thailand, Japan, and China. His company will sell metals purchased from the community to mills and refineries which will actively recycle the material. Aluminum cans are a popular item at the recycling center and are crushed into 700 pound bales to be exported.ĭan compares the prices of the metals to the stock market as they change daily. His facility accepts items from these small cans to large appliances like washers or dryers. Metals are allowed in curbside recycling bins, but Dan explains that these are designed for smaller items like aluminum or tin cans. So you’re helping the environment and yourself.

Anyone who brings metal to Colorado Iron and Metal’s facilities will be paid for it. The only thing required from customers is getting the material to the facility. You can bring metals to their facility where it will then be sorted based on its magnetic properties and melting points.ĭan explains his employees carry magnets to quicken the sorting process, but you don’t need to worry about this. Last year alone, his company recycled over 35 million pounds of metal! Keep in mind, this is just in the Northern Colorado Area, so these impressive statistics represent the efforts of people like you. This helps keep reusable material out of landfills which Dan explains is a main mission of the company. After sorting the metals, they send them to a refinery where the metals can be used for new products.

That’s why I interviewed Colorado Iron and Metal’s president, Dan Garvin, to learn more about recycling metals.Ĭolorado Iron and Metal is located both in Fort Collins and Loveland where they sort metals like copper, brass, aluminum, and steel. FORT COLLINS- Plastic is a common recyclable, but metal- at least in my head- is less conventional.

Loveland recycle center