Metal products are favored for their long service life and durability, with a wide range of applications in social life. A significant amount of scrap metal is generated during the use of metal products. If these scrap metals are discarded carelessly, it not only causes environmental pollution but also represents a substantial waste of resources. The corrosion and damage caused by metal products after use, such as when they are phased out, can be effectively utilized if the scrap metal is recycled, providing a great protective effect on environmental resources.
As our economy continues to grow, the demand for social infrastructure increases, and so does the need for metals. However, the current state of China's metal resources is far from optimistic, with a high level of dependence on imports. To build a sustainable society, we must recycle and reuse post-consumer scrap metals.
A department conducted a statistics, indicating that recycling one discarded aluminum can saves 20% of the cost compared to manufacturing a new one, while also conserving over 90% of energy. Moreover, the recyclable value generated during the disposal and recycling process is quite significant.
Recycling one ton of scrap steel can produce 0.9 tons of steel, saving 47% of costs compared to iron ore smelting. Moreover, it significantly reduces air, water, and solid waste pollution. Thus, promoting a sustainable development concept, strengthening垃圾分类 and scrap metal recycling, offers substantial economic and environmental benefits.
The current recycling and utilization rate of scrap metals in our country is quite low. According to relevant department reports, during the "11th Five-Year Plan" period, China produced 1.54 billion tons of crude steel and consumed 239 million tons of scrap steel, accounting for 21% of the steel production. The global average is between 40% and 50%. The data clearly shows that there is still a significant gap in China's scrap steel recycling and utilization. It also indicates that there is considerable potential for tapping into the recycling and reuse of scrap metal resources in our country.
The volume of scrap metal in our country is increasing rapidly. To achieve higher utilization rates, there needs to be good coordination across various aspects such as recycling concepts, channels, waste management, and national policies. Scrap merchants can utilize multiple channels to manage metal buying and selling, including traditional markets, professional networks, and offline methods for promoting their businesses. Only by expanding the market can the scrap metal recycling industry exert a strong influence and ensure the sustainability of our country's development.