« Back to all newsMetal — it’s in almost everything. The computer, tablet or phone you are using to read this article contains metal. The building you are sitting comfortably in at this moment contains metal. Each year, billions of various products are created and sold that each contains metal. This raises the question: are humans running out of metal? How are we able to sustain a demand of such unfathomable quantities? Today, Hill Metal Recycling is going to explore these interesting questions.
What Is a Non-Renewable Resource?
The first distinction to make is between renewable and non-renewable resources. A common misconception is that non-renewable resources are entirely finite, but this is not strictly true. It’s important to note that elements replenish over time; however, we class resources as non-renewable because the rate in which we use them is greater than the rate at which they are replenished, ultimately leading to a reduction in the number of resources over time if our usage continues.
Is Metal a Non-Renewable Resource?
Metal ores are regarded as non-renewable resources as they can take thousands, if not millions of years to replenish depending on type.
This does not, however, mean that we are at risk of depleting the Earth’s metal resources. Metal exists in vast quantities in the Earth’s crust, and many people underestimate the sheer size and volume of our planet. Humans have been mining for an estimated 40,000 years and yet we have only really scratched the surface.
In fact, the deepest mine ever created by humans is approximately 2.4 miles deep. The Earth’s crust is approximately 21 miles deep, and even that is less than 1% of the planet’s overall volume. It is safe to assume then that we will never exhaust the Earth’s metal resources in their entirety.
So What’s The Issue?
The common confusion is that while there is an abundance of elements and minerals on our planet, we currently lack the ability to harvest them all. We are uncertain of exactly where many of these elements are hiding, and much of it we simply lack the technology to reach. This is where the problem begins to manifest.
Pricing has a lot to do with it too. If prices of precious metal — gold for example — become too low, it no longer becomes economically viable to mine, and reserves start to become depleted. With a lack of technology, a lack of knowledge and a lack of will, we may start to ‘run out’ — but only run out of our reserves, and not run out of available elements on the planet as a whole.
When new technology becomes prevalent or prices increase, we’re bound to find that our reserves get topped up once again. However, whether this will happen is contested amongst experts. The best thing we can do to ensure our metal reserves remain flowing is to recycle.
Why Is Metal Recycling Important?
Recycling reduces the need to mine for new metal by reusing the metals that are already available. Luckily, metal is highly recyclable; the vast amount can be recycled time and time again without any alteration to their properties.
Owners of everyday products containing metals can simply and efficiently sell their scrap to reputable merchants, who can then process the products down to their initial elements, before selling them back to various industries to use in products once again.
By continuing this cycle, we can ensure that our metal reserves continue to flourish regardless of what the future may hold.
Here at Hill Metal Recycling, we offer some of the best prices on a wide range of scrap metals. Whether you’ve got an old car, a computer or just some pieces of wire, bring it down to Hill Metal Recycling or arrange for scrap metal collectionand we’ll do the rest. Give us a call today to learn more.
FAQs
In fact, the deepest mine ever created by humans is approximately 2.4 miles deep. The Earth's crust is approximately 21 miles deep, and even that is less than 1% of the planet's overall volume. It is safe to assume then that we will never exhaust the Earth's metal resources in their entirety.
Are we running out of precious metals? ›
According to him, “in this scenario it is possible that the reserves of some of these elements will be exhausted in 2050 — such as gold and antimony — or in less than 100 years — in the case of molybdenum and zinc.”
Are we running out of iron? ›
Although nothing can be said with certainty, it's highly unlikely that we're set to run out of iron in the foreseeable future. This is down to the vast reserves available, as well as the constant advances in mining technology and ongoing recycling efforts to guarantee a steady supply of iron for years to come.
Are we running out of aluminum? ›
Running out of aluminum is highly unlikely since it is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust. There are however serious supply chain threats that are driving the price of aluminum at an alarming rate. Aluminum is also highly recyclable which lowers the risk of ever running out of this material.
How much of metal is actually recycled? ›
Most recycled material in the world
60 percent of steel is recycled but because more steel is produced than scrapped, recycled steel makes up about 40 percent of the total amount of steel produced. A total of 1085 million tons of steel is recycled a year.
Will humans ever run out of metal? ›
Metal ores are regarded as non-renewable resources as they can take thousands, if not millions of years to replenish depending on type. This does not, however, mean that we are at risk of depleting the Earth's metal resources.
How long until we run out of metal? ›
By some estimates – which remain controversial – our voracious consumption of some metals could mean the supply will run out within 50 years or less. Iron is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust, although much of it is locked deep away and only a fraction is accessible in the form of iron ore.
What metal will run out first? ›
The total supply of copper reaches a maximum 2030–2045, zinc 2030–2050 and lead 2025-2030. The copper supply per person and year and decline after 2130, and the copper stock-in-use reaches a maximum in 2050 and decline afterwards.
How many years of iron is left? ›
The extent of the accessible iron ore reserves is not known, though Lester Brown of the Worldwatch Institute suggested in 2006 that iron ore could run out within 64 years (that is, by 2070), based on 2% growth in demand per year.
What materials are running out? ›
What resources are in decline?
- Water – Even though you see water everywhere and our planet is 70% water, only 2.5% of that 70% is fresh water. The rest is salt water and not useful to humans at all. ...
- Coal – This is the most used fossil fuel and a non-renewable energy source.
Aluminum → POLYabs
For example, if a curtain rod with an aluminum profile is replaced with extruded ABS, the carbon footprint is reduced by more than 80%, without compromising on quality or properties. Such a change makes a huge difference when a new office complex or a new residential area is built.
What is the rarest resource on earth? ›
Here we'll discuss a few actual rare metals, present in the earth in miniscule amounts but which have important applications nonetheless. The rarest stable metal is tantalum. The rarest metal on earth is actually francium, but because this unstable element has a half life of a mere 22 minutes, it has no practical use.
Why is aluminum replacing steel? ›
Advantages of Aluminum over Steels and Irons
Compared to traditional materials, aluminum offers the same level of strength at a much lower weight. This makes it ideal for applications where weight reduction is crucial, such as in the automotive and aerospace industries.
What is the most recycled item in the US? ›
It's the lead acid batteries from your car. More than 99 percent of such batteries wind up recycled, keeping toxic lead out of landfills and waterways. That's a good thing as long as the recycling is done properly.
What is the most expensive metal to recycle? ›
Copper is among the most valuable metals for most scrappers. Pound for pound, it is worth more than most other common metals and is the king of non-ferrous metals. Not all copper products are worth the same, though, and the price of copper can change dramatically over time compared to other metals.
Can metal be 100% recycled? ›
Almost all metals, such as steel, copper, and aluminium, can be used again and again, without any deterioration to its quality or durability. An effective, professional recycling process, carried out by industry experts, needs to be adhered to in order for the reused metal to achieve the desired results.
How long until we run out of rare earth metals? ›
Historically, however, demand for rare earths has risen at a rate of about 10 percent per year. If demand continued to grow at this rate and no recycling of produced rare earths were undertaken, known world reserves likely would be exhausted sometime after the mid-21st century.
Will we eventually run out of gold? ›
Scientists believe that the Earth will run out of gold by the year 2050. Since gold is reused and recycled into other products, it's unlikely we'll really “run out.” A mined gold shortage could lead to sky-high gold prices, but this isn't a guarantee.
What does Warren Buffett say about precious metals? ›
Warren Buffett has been vocal that he feels gold lacks value because it lacks usefulness. A key principle of value investing, as Buffett practices it, says you should only invest in things that serve some practical purpose. Silver has myriad uses, and Buffett has invested nearly $1 billion in it.
