Scrap Metal Recycling: How Technology is Changing It

Metals and Mining Review | Saturday, October 08, 2022

The scrap metal recycling industry is on the cutting edge of innovation, utilizing new technologies to process more materials more efficiently, accurately, and faster.

FREMONT, CA: There was a time in the scrap metal recycling industry when inflowing material was sorted by hand, tickets were handwritten, and bookkeeping was done by hand (with perhaps the support of a calculator.) Currently, the scrap metal recycling industry is on the cutting edge of innovation, utilizing new technologies to process more materials more efficiently, accurately, and faster.

Adopting technology in the recycling industry has been employed to grow recycling rates, keep up with varying materials and products in the waste stream and improve profitability for scrap metal recyclers.

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Outlined below are some instances of how technology is impacting the recycling industry.

Sorting and Processing Material

Numerous technological advances have been established in scrap metal recycling yards to help sort and process material. This technology has been enforced to speed up the task of sorting everything by hand, to address the changing nature of the complexity of materials now in the waste stream and the complexity of products such as electronics.

The goal has been to accelerate processing and increase the amount of recycled material. General, better sorting of incoming scrap can support companies produce “cleaner” batches of material for onward processing.  

Today, sensors and sorting devices do much of the work by hand. Companies are examining with x-ray technology and infrared scanning to sort non-magnetic metals. Laser object detection (LOD) is employed to identify non-metals so they can be removed before processing. Laser technology for scrap metal processing can follow in significant savings by retaining more recyclable material in a faster period.

Using XRF, or x-ray fluorescence, creates immense value for scrap metal recyclers. This technology can identify many alloy grades and rapidly analyze their chemical composition at material move points and thus help ensure the quality of the product.

In addition, Handheld XRF analyzers offer accurate and reliable material identification. These and other handheld devices, through x-rays and/or lasers, detect metals, alloys and contaminants.

They can even be furnished with technology to enhance sorting by identifying the chemical composition of most scrap material in a few seconds. This is a crucial technological development because there are many different types and grades of metals today than there were in the past. Afterward, more sophisticated processes are necessary to identify the material.

The volume of electronic devices arriving in the waste stream poses additional challenges needing new technology. Even though these devices are made with precious metals, they contain such minute amounts that recovering them is not cost-effective without new technology. In addition, separating e-waste devices requires more technologically advanced and sophisticated equipment. For example, some large recyclers today use infrared and x-ray technology to sort out valuable metals in the e-waste stream.

Software

Industry-specific software for scrap metal recyclers implements many technological advances that have improved many facets of a recycler’s operations. Overall, the software helps companies optimize efficiency while helping enhance integration and productivity.

Here are just certain fields software has allowed technological advances for recycling companies.

 •  Routing software for scrap metal recyclers has empowered them to optimize their truck fleet routing. It can arrange driving routes to improve the use of resources in the most productive way possible. Some fleet and container technology enables customer and vendor information to be collected, helping to improve the quality of service. This technology reduces energy consumption, increases efficiency, and improves client interaction.   

 •  Inventory management – Software programs can support scrap metal recycling companies manage, analyze and improve their inventory flow. For many companies, this is also the most important element of profitability.

 •  The right software program enables a recycler to know what material is on hand, at what location, and at any given time. It will suggest the price or value of the material, given its stage of processing and what is accessible for sale. A scrap metal recycling software system inventory module should enable you to print and scan barcodes, define material categories and track pricing, accurately enter data, and integrate with other software modules for greater efficiency.

 •  Anti-theft compliance – A better recycling software will employ technology to facilitate precise and complete compliance with state and local anti-theft laws. Scrap metal recyclers can utilize technology like cameras, digital signature and thumbprint capture pads and other scrap yard hardware that will interface with programs that create reports and can be uploaded to the authorities for compliance.

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