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July 27th, 2022

7/27/2022

3 Comments

 
Everything You Need To Know About Recycling Wires & Cables 

Technology advances every second, minute, hour, and day. Because of this, electronics are constantly being upgraded and replaced, leaving behind their predecessors and parts. While the electronic devices themselves are often recycled, people are sometimes left wondering what to do with the wires and cables that are with them. What many people do not realize is that those wires and cables may earn you a good amount of money when you sell them to a scrap metal recycling facility! In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about selling your wires or cables for their value in scrap metal!

The Difference Between Cables & Wires 

The only difference between a cable and a wire is that a wire contains only one line of electrical conduction, while a cable contains multiple lines of electrical conduction insulated by rubber or plastic. Essentially, a cable is made up of two or more wires.

Wires are typically found on the interior of electronics or eclectic outlets, while cables (also commonly referred to as cords) are typically found on the exterior of electronics. Some common types of cables include power cords, phone cables, extension cords, ethernet cords, phone chargers, and more.

Which Is Worth More: Wires Or Cables? 

The value of any wire or cable depends on the materials that it is made up of. However, as a general rule of thumb, cables are typically worth more because they weigh more and contain larger amounts of copper. If you have any questions about the value of a certain type of wire or cable, don’t hesitate to contact us!

What Makes Copper So Valuable? 

The price of any scrap metal is determined by a few factors: supply & demand, current global market conditions, location, and the cost of raw materials. Copper typically has a high scrap value for the following reasons:
  • Copper conducts heat and electricity well and is resistant to corrosion.
  • Copper is difficult to mine, making recycled copper more valuable than other metals.
  • Copper is used in all kinds of products, including wiring, electronics, storage tanks, appliances, pipes, and much more.

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

If you're ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! Our facility, located in Everett, is in the perfect location to accommodate all of the Greater Boston region! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!

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June 29th, 2022

6/29/2022

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Are Non-Ferrous Metals Worth More Than Ferrous Metals? 

The key difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals is that ferrous metals contain iron. Additionally, ferrous metals are magnetic, while non-ferrous metals are not. Because of their iron content, ferrous metals can more easily develop rust when compared to non-ferrous metals. When metal products are recycled, the recycling facility transforms them into a new material that can be used for an entirely new product. In this article, we’ll further break down the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous metals and discuss what kind of scrap value each type carries.

Ferrous Metals

Ferrous metals are very common. For instance, iron alloys are everywhere. Metals like carbon steel, mild steel, stainless steel, cast iron, and wrought iron contain various degrees of iron. Because ferrous metals require a great deal of carbon for their formation, their tendency to rust increases. While wrought iron and stainless steel do not often rust, most metals that rust are ferrous metals. 

Non-Ferrous Metals

​Non-ferrous metals are more malleable compared to their ferrous counterparts. The different types of non-ferrous metals include brass, copper, lead, bronze, nickel, tin, zinc, titanium, and aluminum. Gold and silver can be converted into jewelry because of their malleability. Additionally, non-ferrous metals are lightweight, which is why gold is employed in aerospace, and aluminum is vital to the canning and airline industries. It has been stated earlier that non-ferrous metals do not contain iron, thus making them resistant to corrosion. Metals that are used for pipes, road signs, gutters, and roofing are typically non-ferrous. It should also be stated that the non-magnetic nature of non-ferrous metals makes them suitable for electric wiring and small electronics. 

Pricing Estimates for Ferrous & Non-ferrous Metals 

The amount of money that a particular kind of scrap metal is worth depends on a few factors: supply & demand, market conditions, location, and the price & quality of virgin metals. With that being said, many non-ferrous metals carry more scrap value than ferrous metals. For example, copper is one of the most valuable scrap metals. While prices are constantly fluctuating, bare bright and #1 copper often sell for north of three dollars per pound. If you have any more questions about scrap metal pricing, please
contact us or visit our pricing pages!


Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

If you’re looking to sell scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the best scrap prices in the region and the very best customer service! Contact us today by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by
filling out the contact form on our website!


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June 07th, 2022

6/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Where Can I Find Scrap Metal? 

Selling scrap metal to be recycled is a great way to get cash in your hand when you need it the most. Different types of metal are worth different amounts, but it’s all worth something! Collecting scrap metal also benefits the environment. It’s important to go through a reputable scrap yard, like our facility at Second Street Iron & Metal, to get the best prices and ensure everything will be recycled responsibly! Learn about some of the common places you can find scrap metal below!

Construction Sites 

Construction sites are often overflowing with scrap materials. You should never go onto the site without permission and start removing scrap, as you could be charged with trespassing and theft. Additionally, you don’t know what’s actually scrap metal and what they still plan to use. Instead, you should offer to collect the scrap from the site. Ask to speak with the site manager and explain you’re looking to haul away scrap metal for free. More times than not, they’ll take you up on that offer! It saves them the time and money of disposing of the scrap themselves and gives you easy access to metal. If you find the right construction company, they might even tell you where their next work site is so you can provide the same services again!

Hospitals, Nursing Homes, & Care Centers 

Hospitals, nursing homes, and care centers are always getting rid of broken or outdated equipment. A lot of that equipment is made of valuable metal! Like with a construction site, you should never attempt to remove scrap from the property without getting permission first. If you introduce yourself as someone offering free junk removal services, you’d be surprised how often they say yes! Come prepared with a vehicle to haul the scrap and heavy-duty gloves in case you have to sort through a dumpster. If they’re happy with your services, you might get a call next time they’ve got old wheelchairs, bed frames, and other equipment to discard. 

Community Social Media Pages 

Businesses aren’t the only place with scrap metal. Many people have metal sitting around in their basement or garage, and they just want it gone! Make a post on your community social media page offering to remove scrap items for free. You can also keep an eye out for people posting free scrap that needs to be picked up. If you frequent the community pages and websites like Craigslist enough, you’re sure to get a decent amount of scrap metal to sell. You can even pick up junk cars to scrap if you have a trailer! 

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

If you’re looking for a scrap metal recycling facility in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the best scrap prices in the region and the very best customer service! Contact us today by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

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May 03rd, 2022

5/3/2022

1 Comment

 
How To Tell The Difference Between Stainless Steel & Aluminum 

Scrap metal recycling is an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient practice when compared to the process needed to create virgin metals. Metal recycling can also help you or your company earn some extra money! While steel and aluminum both hold scrap value, knowing the difference between them is important when trying to calculate how much your scrap metal is worth. One of the most noticeable differences between the two metals is that aluminum is both lighter and softer than stainless steel. In this article, we’ll further break down the differences between these two common metals!

Differences Between Steel And Aluminum  
Aluminum is softer than stainless steel, in addition to being lighter. As a result, aluminum is often found in various applications, including gutters on your home, automotive engines, and more. On the other hand, you will find stainless steel in applications where strength and rigidity are important. Because of its strength and durability, stainless steel is a popular option for custom-made items. 

Appearance 
When it comes to appearance, the two metals are similar, but there are a few ways to tell the difference. Aluminum typically has more of a greyish hugh, especially after it is exposed to elements. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is highly reflective and has more of a silver color. Even if exposure to the environment dulls its luster somewhat over time, stainless steel will nearly always be more shiny and silver than aluminum. 

Weight 
Aluminum is about half the weight of stainless steel when comparing two pieces of the same size. Aluminum is also more commonly found in light, thin sheets while stainless steel is more commonly found in heavy, thick applications.

Density 
As can be inferred from the weight differences between aluminum and stainless steel, aluminum is less dense than stainless steel. This also means that aluminum is much more malleable and easier to scratch than stainless steel.

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

​If you’re ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! We’re always looking to buy a wide variety of different types of scrap metal, including ferrous & non-ferrous metals, appliances, equipment, junk vehicles, and more! In addition to scrap metal purchasing, we also provide our clients with roll-off dumpster rentals! Contact us today by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

1 Comment

March 31st, 2022

3/31/2022

2 Comments

 
What’s The Difference Between Ferrous And Non-Ferrous Metals? 

​Recycling scrap metal holds countless benefits for the environment. According to The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), recycling scrap metal can reduce greenhouse emissions from over 52 billion tons to just 500 million tons - a huge difference. Recycling also preserves the environment’s natural resources by reusing existing metals rather than mining new raw materials. The good news is that almost every kind of metal can be recycled an infinite amount of times, meaning you can recycle both ferrous and non-ferrous metals!

Besides its environmental benefits, recycling metal also poses numerous economic benefits. The metal recycling industry creates more than 500,000 jobs and generates a tax revenue of over $10 billion across the US yearly. By lowering the cost of producing usable metals, recycling reduces the price of consumer goods such as appliances, automobiles, architectural structures, cutlery, etc. If you wish to help your environment and economy while making some cash along the way, Second Street Iron & Metal is always ready to purchase both ferrous and non-ferrous metals from residents and businesses in the Greater Boston area! 


Ferrous Metals 

Metals can be divided into two major groups: ferrous and non-ferrous. Both groups can be recycled, although the recycling methods may vary. The differentiating property between the two types of metals is that ferrous metals contain iron while non-ferrous metals do not. Examples of ferrous metals include stainless steel, carbon steel, cast iron, and wrought iron.  

Ferrous metals have a higher tensile strength than their non-ferrous counterparts, making them the preferred choice for architectural purposes. Their magnetic properties also make them functional components of electrical and motor appliances. Other uses of ferrous metals are seen in the production of shipping containers, industrial piping, fencing, cookware, railing, tools, etc.  

The major downside to ferrous metals is that their high carbon content makes them vulnerable to rust. The only exceptions are wrought iron and stainless steel. Wrought iron owes its rust resistance to its pure iron content and fibrous structure, while the chromium in stainless steel reacts with oxygen to form a protective “passive” layer that makes it rust-resistant.


Non-Ferrous Metals  

As stated above, non-ferrous metals do not contain iron and are, thus, not magnetic. Since these metals are lighter and more malleable than their ferrous counterparts, non-ferrous metals are the best option for applications that demand low-weight yet durable metals. Although they lack magnetic properties, non-ferrous metals are excellent conductors of electricity and heat. The absence of iron in non-ferrous metals also makes them corrosion-resistant.  

Examples of these metals are aluminum, lead, nickel, tin, gold, silver, platinum, copper, and copper alloys such as bronze and brass. Aluminum is used in manufacturing aircraft parts, pistons, radiators, and food cans. Due to its low resistivity level, copper is the metal of choice for producing electrical cables and batteries. Silver and gold have extensive uses in jewelry, cutlery, and electrical circuit contacts. Non-ferrous metals are also used for roofing, gutters, fixtures and fittings, kitchen utensils, statues, fuels, paints, computer parts, and much more. 


Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!

Both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are indispensable to most industries. However, continuous mining of these metals increases greenhouse gas emissions, depletes natural resources, and causes land pollution. Scrap metal recycling provides a sustainable approach to the production of usable metals in our society!

At Second Street Iron & Metal, we purchase ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals, as well as junk vehicles, for the best prices in the Greater Boston area! Our recycling services are open to businesses, demolition companies, homeowners, and the general public in the Boston region. Contact us today to get started by giving us a call at (617) 387-1188 or by filling out the contact form on our website!

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