In our recent guide to metal recycling, we like to think we made it very clear just how passionate we are about the planet and helping to reduce global warming through educating people on recycling different metals.
In the articles that followed, we wanted to really zone in on the different types of metals you may have in your home and just why you should recycle them if you no longer need them.
As such, here are eight reasons that titanium can be classed as an ‘eco-metal’ when recycled.
1) Recycling titanium is easy
Titanium doesn’t rust, and this in itself makes recycling it easier. It’s an incredibly active metal with a strong oxygen bonding power. While it forms an ‘oxide’ coating around the surface because it doesn’t pass oxygen, it doesn’t develop further rusting.
Aside from the practical elements regarding ease of recycling, titanium is also very easy for the recycler. You don’t need to go out of your way and take it to any special units that may/may not accept it. All you need to do is find a dedicated metal recycling facility who will happily take it off your hands… and pay you for it!
2) Titanium is easy to transport
Titanium has an incredibly high strength, but a low density. This means it can be made both small and light so that transportation is much kinder to the planet. This is due to improved fuel consumption because of lighter products and being able to fit more of them on one journey.
3) Titanium is infinitely recyclable
Titanium is one of the many impressive metals that can be recycled as many times as possible without sacrificing any of its features/overall quality. This means that titanium can be used repeatedly, over and over again, by being continuously recycled.
4) Titanium’s recyclability makes it incredibly sustainable
Because it can be recycled indefinitely and sustainably, this means titanium can be made in a much more environmentally friendly manner when compared to creating it from scratch via the ‘sulfate process’ or the ‘chloride process’.
5) Titanium is long-lasting
Thanks to its durability, titanium can last years before needing to be recycled. For example, titanium rods, pins and cages could all last for longer than 20 years. It can also do particularly well when used in the world of architecture/construction thanks to its ability to survive weathering.
This means that titanium has a much lower lifetime cost to the planet thanks to its long-lastingness and reduced need to go through the recycling process.
6) Recycling titanium is much cheaper and less wasteful
Developing new titanium is a costly process due to the fact it’s difficult to refine. Did you know it’s around six times more expensive to develop than the likes of steel? This is because it uses the ‘Kroll process’ which needs maximum heat and labor in order to complete the project.
Recycling titanium instead saves hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 per year, thanks to new technologies that prevent waste and avoid ore-based production.
7) Titanium is a huge contributor to the wide economy
By 2026, the global titanium metal (titanium alloy) market size is projected to reach $6365.8 million (up from $2659 million in 2020).
Titanium is a large and steady contributor to the circular economy – this takes place in the shape of recycling a widely used metal and then issuing it back out into society with minimal impact on the environment.
8) Recycled titanium reduces environmental harm
Many people who don’t recycle titanium end up taking their unwanted items to landfill. But this is detrimental to the planet as metals don’t biodegrade easily or quickly, leaving harmful fluids to leak into the surrounding soil, plus nearby air and waterways.
Recycling completely avoids the need to take items to landfill, therefore preventing the subsequential harm to the environment.
All in all, titanium can be referred to as an eco-metal due its all-rounding ability to benefit the planet and reduce negative impact in several different areas. Recycling titanium is a fantastic opportunity to help the planet, contribute to your surrounding circular economy, prevent waste and support jobs within the metal recycling market.
If you’re based in or around Kansas City and are looking for somewhere to recycle your scrap metal, why not bring it to Langley Recycling? We’re a fourth generation scrap yard and recycling unit specializing in metal recycling. We’ll take your scrap titanium off your hands and give you cash for your scrap.
