Arnold DavisBringing metal waste to recycling centers can be both profitable and a good way to save the environment. The key is knowing the different types of metal and their values.
Metal scrap yards deal with trades like construction companies, electricians, plumbers and others that create large amounts of waste metal on a regular basis. However, individuals can also bring in their own scrap for cash.
Copper
Copper is a valuable metal that can earn you some extra cash when recycled. Look for it in the wiring of old electronics, especially printers and copiers, extension cords and cooking pans. Copper wire often has a black or colored plastic insulation covering it, so make sure you bring clean copper to your local scrap yard – the more cleaned up it is, the higher the price.
Recycling metals keeps them out of landfills and allows manufacturers to use them for new products without having to mine for them. There are three types of metals that are most valuable to recyclers, copper, brass and aluminum. When you bring your scrap to a recycling firm, they melt it down and refashion it into a wide variety of products that can benefit people, businesses, communities and the environment. The first step in determining what kind of metal you have is testing it with a magnet – if it sticks, it’s ferrous. If not, it’s non-ferrous.
Aluminum
Aluminum cans are the most common metal item recycled, but they’re also found in other products and are just as valuable. They take up less space in landfills than other metal items and require far less energy to recycle.
It’s important to keep in mind that many metals look similar, so separating them ahead of time will help you get a better price when dropping off your scrap metal. You’ll want to have a magnet, separate containers and labels to mark them with the type of metal inside, or you could end up getting weighed in based on the lowest-value metal.
Ask friends and family if they have old aluminum cans lying around or even appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers or washers and dryers. You can build a stash and make some serious cash, just like one Side Hustle Show guest who makes a full-time living doing this! Just be sure to clean out the cans before tossing them in a garbage bag, as they could contain insects or other pests.
Steel
If you’re a metal recycler, you can make extra cash by inspecting and separating metals that contain iron. It’s easy to tell if metal contains iron or not; just hold a magnet up to it. If the magnet sticks, it’s ferrous. If it doesn’t, it’s nonferrous.
Nonferrous metals typically include aluminum, copper and lead. It’s important to examine the types of metal you have and know their values before bringing them to your local scrap yard or recycling facility. Check online for current metal prices and be sure to sort your materials before selling them to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Remember that traveling too far for “free” sources of metal can add up to costly gas + vehicle upkeep expenses. Look for sources near your home, office or business to keep the costs down. You can even find some items at local garage sales or by examining old appliances for the metal they contain.
Iron
Most people don’t think to examine household items for their potential value as scrap metal, so it’s surprising how many metal components that could be cashed in lie around. Old rusty pots and pans, copper wiring and appliances, aluminum gutters, patio furniture and even car parts can be sold to the right recyclers for cash payments.
When bringing in your metal scrap, it’s helpful to separate ferrous and nonferrous materials. The easiest way to determine which is which is with a magnet (you can use the one from your refrigerator). Ferrous metals are magnetic, while nonferrous are not.
Summary:
Once sorted, the metal is taken to a metal recycling facility where it undergoes several processes including shredding, shearing, baling and packaging for transportation. Depending on where you live, some facilities may also perform other processing to purify the metal for manufacturing. The scrap is then ready to be sold to manufacturers for new products. This helps reduce landfill waste and ensures that there will be enough raw materials available for future generations.