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Learning to Make a Difference

Jun 26, 2018 | 8:48 AM

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. 

The heavier steel such as farm machinery, must be sheared or cut into shorter lengths so it can be loaded into large containers and shipped to the smelter where it is melted down to raw steel.  The raw steel is then used to manufacture a variety of new items. 

The class was told that Silver Creek Recycling also recycles non-ferrous metal such as aluminum, copper wire, brass and stainless steel.  These types of metal are packaged in smaller containers in a variety of ways for shipping.   

We can all do our part to help recycle metal and no item is too small or too large to recycle.  From large items like vehicles and appliance right down to electrical wire or a small container of brass screws left over from a DIY project.   Don’t take it to the landfill – recycle your metal!  You will help the environment and possibly make a bit of cash for your self.

That is exactly what the Grade 2 class from I.F. Cox did!  The children saved aluminum can tabs during the school year and brought the tabs to Silver Creek Recycling for cash.  The children then took the cash and donated it to the SPCA.  Ms Wist was able to teach her class 2 valuable lessons 

  1. How to recycle metals and help preserve our communities
  2. How to give back to your community by donating to a worthy cause 

These young community members are learning how to make a difference in their community.