Recycling metal is far more efficient than producing new metal, so a lot of energy is saved in the process – which is good for the environment as well as saving money.

As an example, recycling aluminium uses only 5% of the energy it takes to make new aluminium.

Many metal items contain parts that don’t really deteriorate, but would be thrown away when another part wears out. Electric motors for example contain copper wire which can be salvaged and recycled into new copper – while the casing can become new steel or aluminium.