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June 29th, 2020

6/29/2020

14 Comments

 
Common Questions About Recycling Scrap Metal
At Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett Massachusetts, we are constantly working with local residents and businesses to help them make a profit on scrap metal. As one of the leading scrap metal yards in Greater Boston we often are asked a variety of questions on how to properly recycle scrap metal. We picked out a few of the more common questions and answered them here. 

How Do You Recycle An Old Car?
We actually have a vehicle scrapping FAQ on our website on how to scrap vehicles at our location. But to summarize; make sure to have your paperwork for the vehicle (title & registration), and to bring a drivers license that matches the name on the title or registration. You should also remove the fuel tank before you scrap your car.

What Is The Difference Between Non-Ferrous & Ferrous Metals?
The difference between non-ferrous and ferrous metals is in magnetism. A ferrous metal is any metal that will stick to a magnet whereas a non-ferrous metal will not. Copper, aluminum, and brass are all examples of non-ferrous metals. Generally speaking, a non-ferrous metal will be sold for higher value because it is a rarer metal. Iron and steel are very commonplace and are therefore are sold for less. 

What Is The Difference Between #1, #2, and #3 Copper?
Copper is graded into three categories. The lower the number, the better the copper. #1 copper is any copper tubing or wire that is free of solder, brass, insulation, or paint. This is also considered "clean" metal. #2 copper in comparison is any copper wire or tubing that has small amounts of solder, brass, paint, oil, or rubber attached. This metal is sold for less because it is more difficult to process. #3 copper is copper metal with extensive amounts of other metals, paint, oil, and similar substances.

Can You Sell & Recycle Old Appliances?
The short answer is yes but it is complicated. Many scrap yards do take old appliances like washing machines or dishwashers. However, you always need to check with the scrap yard on specific appliances. Any appliance that uses freon like a freezer, refrigerator, or cooler, will likely not be recyclable at a scrap metal yard. The EPA requires that those appliances are handled by a licensed HVAC professional. 

How Do You Tell The Difference Between Brass & Copper?
If you are unsure what type of metal you have there are a few ways to distinguish it. Brass tends to be yellowish in color and copper is reddish in color. To see the true color of your metal, take a file and file the metal. The flakes will tell you whether you have brass or copper. Brass is made of zinc and copper, the yellower the brass the more zinc was used in the alloy. 

For More Questions, Please Contact Second Street Iron & Metal
if you have any other questions about selling and recycling scrap metal in Massachusetts, please contact our office or come to our yard in Everett. Our team would be happy to help answer your questions and help you get the most for your scrap metal. 

14 Comments
Afton Jackson link
7/24/2020 01:22:37 am

Thank you for talking about how old appliances like dishwashers or laundry machines can be easily scrapped by a scrapping service. After deciding to move from her current city to a new one, my sister just decided to buy new appliances for her to use in her new house. None of us wanted to take her old washing machines from her since we already have our own, so we'll look for any metal scrapping services who are willing to take them.

Reply
rachel frampton link
8/10/2020 05:50:59 am

I agree with you that metals must be segregated first before recycling. It's also interesting to learn that copper is mostly sold for a cheaper price due to its difficult process. Anyways, just in case I'll run a car manufacturing business, I'll make sure to work with a reputable metal recycling service.

Reply
Chris Pederson link
11/20/2020 03:37:51 pm

I knew about the different copper numbers but I didn't know that the lower the number, the better the copper. I appreciate your explanation because it will help me find proper copper I can sell for a high price. I'll look for some old copper around my house and see what number it is.

Reply
Michaela Hemsley link
2/15/2021 01:16:14 pm

I have been helping my dad clean out his house, and we found a bunch of copper wires that he won't need anymore, so we're trying to figure out what to do with it. Thanks for mentioning that non-ferrous metals like copper can be sold for a relatively high value at a scrap yard. My dad and I will have to look into ones we could take that wire to so that we can get it out of the house and make some extra money at the same time.

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Curtis Butler link
3/10/2021 02:35:16 pm

I had no idea that non-ferrous metal is typically more valuable since it is rarer than ferrous metal. My uncle was thinking about opening a car repair business but was unable to when he started experiencing heart complications, and we'd like to find someone that is willing to buy the metal replacement parts that he bought for the business. Maybe we should find a scrap yard that would be willing to take the metal supplies we have.

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Chris Pederson link
4/30/2021 03:49:24 pm

I had no idea that non-ferrous metal is rarer so it is sold at a higher value. That could make a difference in the type of metal I use. Maybe I can get some cheaper ones or I could pay more for this higher quality metal.

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Eve Mitchell link
6/14/2021 01:42:45 pm

I liked that you pointed out that the lower the number the better the grade of copper. My son wants to get into buying and selling scrap metal. I am hoping to find a reliable company that he can go through with experience in this kind of business.

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David88 link
6/16/2021 03:59:43 am

Is it true that recycled metal are more prone to corrosion than non recycled metal iron?

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kate hansen link
7/21/2021 03:47:32 pm

It was really helpful when you said to check with the scrap yard about some appliances. My husband and I have a broken air conditioner, and we want to look into recycling it in a couple of weeks so that it can be better for the environment. I really appreciate you helping me learn more about recycling scrap metal!

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Mia Evans link
10/30/2021 01:15:54 am

Thanks for helping me understand that a non-ferrous metal will be sold for a higher value in the metal recycling facility. With that in mind, we might get a good amount from the scraps that I found in the garage of my dad. We just wanted to help him clean up his house that, and I found those metals that are not being used anymore which can help him pay some of his loans.

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John Carston link
11/4/2021 11:14:46 pm

I like how you mentioned that there are three categories copper are graded in. My uncle mentioned to me last night that he is planning to dispose of his scrap coppers and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell him that he can consult a well-known copper recycling services as they can answer all his inquiries.

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Victoria Addington link
3/8/2022 09:07:15 am

It was interesting to know that any copper tubing or wire with no paint, insulation, brass, or solder is sold higher. My brother was able to gather copper wires from his work, so he wants cash for them. He should go to a scrap metal recycling company that provides cash for wires.

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Mia Evans link
5/15/2022 08:53:44 am

It really helped when you said that we should have the paperwork ready regarding the car we own. I will keep that in mind now that I plan to look for wrecked cars for cash this weekend. It's to disposed of my first vehicle which I haven't used for three years now to free up space from my garage.

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Olivia Smart link
6/8/2022 01:31:37 pm

Thank you for explaining how you can tell the difference between brass and copper. I think we have some copper pieces that we plan on recycling. I'll have to use this to make sure that we were right in our assessment.

Reply



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