1. The English word “metal” is derived from Ancient Greek metallon, “mine, quarry” whilst the word “scrap” can be traced to Old Norse skrapa “to scrape.” It seems that scrap metal has been sought after for quite some time.
2. Australia boasts a scrap metal recovery rate of as high as 90 per cent, coming from over five million tonnes of metal recovery and recycling. That’s substantially more than in many other nations, such as the United States, which recycles about 52 per cent of its scrap metal.
3. One gram of gold requires at least one tonne of mined ore to produce. That same quantity can also be found by recycling 41 mobile phones due to the high presence of precious metals (including gold) within.
4. Recycled steel is more environmentally friendly than freshly mined ore to make new steel by about 75 per cent. This is because many of the phases of the extraction and manufacturing process are eliminated. The best part? Recycled steel is smelted down and reforged and is thus no different in its quality when compared to new steel.
5. Doorknobs and handrails are often made of brass. Why? Brass has a particular characteristic of being antibacterial, making it ideal for high-contact areas to reduce the spread of germs and viruses.
6. Got pungent garlic or onion smell on your hands from last night’s lasagna? Rub it against a stainless steel surface and the smell will go away.

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