Learning to Make a Difference
Grade 2 class from I.F. Cox School visits Silver Creek Recycling to learn about recycling metal and earn cash to donate to the SPCA.
Silver Creek Recycling was happy to welcome Ms Wist and her grade 2 class from I.F. Cox School for a tour to learn about recycling metal. The children learned that both ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be recycled. Ferrous metals contain mostly iron and are magnetic. Some examples of ferrous metals are vehicles, farm machinery and appliances. Silver Creek demonstrated how the large electromagnet is used to move steel on the yard. We explained that an electromagnet, unlike a permanent magnet can be turned off and on using the flow of electricity. We can also control the strength of the electromagnet using electrical current and this allows us to move large and small steel items.
Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron in appreciable amounts and are not magnetic. Some examples of non-ferrous metals are copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel and lead. Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals have specific properties and that determines what application they are best suited for.
The children learned that some ferrous items such as vehicles and appliances, must be flattened or baled before shipping to the smelter, where they are melted down and repurposed. Students saw a car being flattened and a car crushed into a bale. One lucky student got to press the remote and engage the car crusher.