There are many benefits of recycling metals. Some studies estimate that recycling metal may cut greenhouse gas emissions by 300 million to 500 million tons every year. Recycling different types of non-ferrous and ferrous metals results in a huge reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and saves the destruction in natural resources brought by mining. Recycling steel, for example, results in an 86% reduction in air pollution, 76% reduction in water pollution, and 40% less water used overall compared to the production of virgin material. Recycling scrap metal instead of mining ore also generates 97% less mining waste.