This type of organization is necessary to ensure that the recycling process goes smoothly. Scrap metal can be sold to refineries, scrap yards and recycling centers for money or rebates. The quality and quantity of the scrap metal may decide whether or not it can be recycled or sold. In my opinion, we can use some extra cash by contacting a recycling service to pick up our job site’s scrap metal. I appreciate that you mentioned that manufacturers have some use for it so now I’m motivated to convince my staff to gather all the industrial scrap metal we can find in our job site.

In this article, you will discover the step-by-step process of how metal is recycled – from start to finish. Help the environment and save money by filling your recycling barrel! My true intention was to obtain information on how scrapping metal can be a legitimate way to earn a side income. There is normally more sorting, possibly some shredding, and some extracting of metals from inside of scrap you’ve dropped off.

Another reason to not dispose of metals improperly is that you don’t want scrap to end up in landfills. These metals contain toxic chemicals like mercury that can pose risks to the soil and water near the landfill. Manufacturers are able to then make brand new products out of these metals. The products are then sold to consumers and then the process starts all over. The size of the metal and the furnace will impact how long it will take to melt.

Technically, scrap metal removal is something that anyone with a truck can offer to do… but do you want to give unvetted strangers access to your facilities? Not knowing their credentials or if they hold an insurance policy can be an expensive risk. What’s even better about the shredding process when you have an industrial shredder is that there is minimal work required. So not only are you going to ‌shred scrap metal on-site, but you’ll have a system that’s easy to use. Do you have an old metal desk, shelf, broken grill, or other bulky scrap metal items you’d like to get rid of? Are you lacking a vehicle that would allow you to transport the items?

Once you’ve identified which items and metals are for disposal, organise them next. The best way is to separate them based on whether they’re ferrous or non-ferrous. The best examples are electronic equipment and gadgets, which contain metals, including gold. Indeed, in 2021 alone, the technology sector’s demand for gold totalled 330.2 tonnes. Of that quantity, 272 tonnes went towards the electronics market. In the past, segregation was done by hand, but this is no longer the case.

Mastering the Art of How to Sort Scrap Metal: A Step-by-Step Guide

Once sorted, each type of metal will be sent for its specific processing. Steel is the highest volume and most common metal that scrap yards will process daily. When ready, steel will often be compacted or shredded to reduce its size. Many scrap yards will use large industrial balers to crush and squeeze metal into compact cubes. With this, the scrap yard can pick up and move extremely dense blocks of steel with their heavy equipment. These are like a paper shredder on steroids, with blades and teeth large enough to cut through thick steel.

The Difference Between Ferrous and Nonferrous Metals

In 2019, the US recycled about 56 million metric tons of scrap metal, which gives you some idea of the scale of the process involved. Read more about Free scrap metal collection bristol here. It also serves as a useful indicator of the value of scrap metal in today’s market, eclipsing that of paper products or wooden materials significantly. When in doubt, look for a scrap metal removal service that’s been in business in your community for a long time.

They even track and report the current market value of metals in their various forms. There are definite economic benefits to recycling scrap metal – for you + the scrapyards (job creation), and for the end users. You see, manufacturers can use the recycled metal in their new production processes instead of having to mine for new metal, a very costly operation.

This step-by-step guide will help you know what steps to take and what to expect when you arrange for scrap metal removal or free scrap pickup from Gardner Metal Recycling. If you’re looking to take your scrap metaling to the level of earning full-time income, then you’ve got to get a step above the hobbyist. Here’s an article on how to dissect your desktop computer tower in order to reap more cash at scrap yards that accept them. Ferrous materials are also the most recycled materials in the world! Because of this high supply, their prices tend to be lower than Nonferrous materials.

How to recycle scrap metal

Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, one of the key motivations for recycling is generating additional income. The price is generally determined by the type of metal, lifecycle stage, and quantity. Copper is considered to be the most valuable scrap metal, while tin, aluminum, and cast iron sit towards the low end of the price range. The first step to recycling scrap metal is getting it to the metal recycling yard.