3 Advantages of Recycling Metals

When it comes to getting rid of metals, or items containing metals, most people just throw them out in the trash and never think of them again. However, taking these metal items to scrap yards to scrap is a better option not only for the environment, as it is recycling,  but also to put some money in your pockets. As scrap yards are willing to pay money for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. 

Advantages of Recycling Metals

Saves Energy

When it comes to energy, it takes less energy to turn scrap metal into a new product than harvesting new resources to make new products. The metal is already there and doesn't need to be created and the only thing that needs to happen is the scrap needs to be modified for its new purpose. To show how much energy is being saved, when you recycle one ton of metal it is the equivalent to the energy required to run four homes for four months! 

Conserves Natural Resources

When you recycle metals, you conserve diminishing natural resources as they recycling industry can make use of the existing metals rather than drilling deep and recouping new base metals. When existing metals are used, it preserves the natural landscape and protects wildlife. when resources needed to be minded, you are disturbing the natural habitats of species in that area.

Slow Landfill Growth

The biggest benefit out of recycling, no matter if it is metals or not, is the fact that it keeps them out of landfills. Metal especially, take a long time to biodegrade and recycling these items will prevent landfill overgrowth which is never a good thing for the environment. 

4 Items To Scrap This Winter

The winter season is upon us but that doesn't mean that you don't have to stop looking for metals to recycle and scrap. In addition to getting rid of unwanted materials, you can make some money by scrapping certain items at a scrap yard. While the warmer seasons seem to be a better time to go out and scrap metal, the winter also offers opportunities for you to scrap metal whether it is ferrous metals or non-ferrous metals.  

Items To Scrap This Winter

Water Pipes

Water pipes are valuable in the scrapping world because they contain copper, which is one of the more valuable metals to scrap. If you had a big renovation or remodeling job done on your home you can gather your old pipes and bring them to a scrap yard to get a good return on them.

Kitchen Appliances

With the passing of Black Friday and the upcoming holidays there could be new kitchen appliances being brought into your home. Instead of throwing out your old appliances you can scrap them instead. Scrap yards are happy to take kitchen appliances as they are a great source of steel, stainless steel, and copper wiring.

Old Radiators & Air Conditioning Units

We had a crazy hot summer which means your a/c units were probably used heavily so you may need new ones. Instead of just throwing them out, definitely consider bringing them to a scrap yard. This goes the same for radiators that no longer work. You can get good money for them as they are great sources of steel and copper both in the body and wiring of the units. 

Desks & Filing Cabinets 

During the winter, residents are usually replacing old desks or appliances with new ones. In addition, offices usually use this time to move to an new office as the moving companies are usually in their off season so businesses can use them to move to a new office. During these moves they could update their desks and filing cabinets and get rid of the old ones. A great way to make money on this move is to take any desk or filing cabinet that you don't need and scrap them for money.
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Top 10 best metals to scrap in 2019 and where to find them

​Insulated Copper Wire
Insulated copper wire is a non-ferrous metal that can be found in many common appliances, computer cords,  and in construction sites.
There are many types of copper wire that can be scrapped.  A few common types to look for are:

• THHN Wire
• Insulated Copper Cable
• Fire Wire
• Data Wire

• ​Cat 5 Wire
• Cat 6 Wire
  
  

#2 Copper tubing
#2 copper tubing fetches $1.85/lb and can often be found in your plumbing pipes.

Aluminum
Aluminum varies by quality but fetches around $0.3-0.4 per pound.  Although it is not as valuable as copper metals it can be much easier to find.  It can be found in

• Old aluminum chairs,  beach chairs, outdoor chairs, all can be scrapped for aluminum
• TV antennas
• Pots and Pans
• Jacketing from BX Wire
• Aluminum Cans

Aluminum cans are probably the largest source of aluminum you'll find on a daily basis.  They can add up quickly to large sums of scrap aluminum.

Brass
Brass is one of the higher valued metals to scrap for over one dollar per pound.  The most common source of brass is brass radiators.  Scrapping your brass radiator can yield a great result with a heavy radiator.

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Scrap Metal Classifications & Types of Metal To Scrap

Scrap metal doesn’t refer to a single form of metal. Instead, there are two primary categories in which scrap metals can be grouped- ferrous and non-ferrous. If you participate in scrap metal recycling and do it to make some extra money or to re-purpose the material, it’s crucial that you know the type of metals that you are handling. Doing so could make your projects a success, or cause you to maximize your cash gain. Let’s take a closer look at the scrap metal classification and metal types that you should know about and understand.
 
Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals can be regarded as the most basic form of recycled metals. You can spot the difference between ferrous metals and other forms of metals by their attraction to magnets. These metals are known for their durability and strength. Containing high carbon content, ferrous metals are susceptible to corrosion and rust when exposed to the elements, with the exception being wrought iron, which resists oxidation, and stainless steel, which is protected by its high chromium content. Ferrous metals include, stainless steel, cast iron, alloy steel, carbon steel and wrought iron.
 
Ferrous Metal-Containing Items
There are many everyday items that people use that contain ferrous metal. These  include: refrigerators, ovens, knives cast iron skillets and vehicles. However, ferrous metals can also be found in industrial containers, industrial piping, railroad tracks, bridges, tools and hardware items.
 
Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals aren’t magnetic or pack the same strength as ferrous metals. However, they have their unique advantages. These metals are lightweight and malleable are more resistant to corrosion and rust. Non-ferrous metals are commonly used in manufacturing industries where metal need be bent in particular shapes to make a product or packaging. Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, lead, copper, zinc, tin, brass, gold, nickel, magnesium and titanium.
 
Non-ferrous Metal-Containing Items
Non-ferrous metals have long been used to make gutters, water pipes, road signs and roofing, as well as packaging for beverages and can goods, car parts and kitchen utensil. Since non-ferrous metals are non-magnetic, they are ideal for electrical wiring and use in electronic applications and in the construction of aircraft.
 
Common Scrap Metals Types
Aluminum is known for being malleable and lightweight, aluminum is used to perhaps the most common scrap recycle metal that is used in aircraft manufacturing applications and commonly to make beverage and food cans.

Copper is used primarily in the electrical industry for wiring and conductor applications, copper is highly ductile and malleable. It’s also used for cartridge cases, bearings and sheet roofing.

Lead is characteristically heavy and malleable, with a low melting point. However, it is corrosion resistant and is commonly used in applications that include electrical power cables, batteries, and some soldering, cable sheathing, lead crystal glass and weights for lifting.

Zinc has medium-low strength and a low melting point, zinc is commonly used in galvanizing, which involves the application of a protective zinc coating to iron or steel to make it rust-resistant.

Tin is widely used to coat steel to make it corrosion resistant, and can also be combined with copper to create tin brass and bronze.

Carbide is hard and delivers unmatched abrasive and thermal resistance. This scrap metal is used in mining, jewelry and machining applications.

Iron is relatively soft and ductile in nature, iron is a moderately good conductor of heat and electricity. Iron is another common scrap metal and is common in numerous household items, from cast iron pots to backyard swings.

Brass is a combination of copper and zinc as well as other metals. It is a heavy metal which you can find in many items in and around the home, such as keys, door handles and knobs, light and bathroom fixtures, bed frames and brass-plated crockery.

Titanium is a versatile metal that is used in many applications, from jewelry to airplanes. Its value lends to it being corrosion resistant and durable.

There is value in scrap metals and if you make a trip to a scrap yard, you want to be able to correctly identify your metals. Local scrap metal services provide the opportunity to make some extra money if you can find the right scrap metal to do business. 

Farm Equipment Perfect For Scrapping

The summer months are the busiest times for farmers as they have the consistently nice warm weather to feed their crops. Just like with any equipment you have, over time there will be signs of wear and tear and eventually the vehicle or equipment piece will stop working all together. Instead of throwing them away, you should take them to a local scrap metal yard to see if the parts can be scrapped. Not only is this a more proper way of disposing your not longer working farming equipment but it is a great way to get some extra cash in your pocket.

What Kind Of Farm Equipment Is Good for Scrapping

Farming equipment and vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. When they have reached the end of their useful life you should gather them all together to take to a local scrap yard. the easiest way to get the most bang for your buck is to look to see if any of your heavy and old farm scrap. While the smaller pieces are great to scrap together, one single heavy equipment could give you much more money for the metal. The types of farm equipment you should consider to be scrapped include:

• Reapers
• Reaper-binders
• Portable Engines
• Ploughing Engines
• Traction Engines
• Steam Tractors
• Agricultural Engines
• Hog Oilers
• Flails
• Threshing Machines
• Winnowing Machines
• Drag Harrows

A great thing about farm scrapping is that it doesn't have to necessarily be narrowed down to just heavy equipment and vehicles. As long as there is ferrous metals to be scrapped, they will be taken. Instruments used in farming that are also made from non-ferrous metals include:

• Old Implements
• Rusted Plows
• Combines
• Tractors and Tractor Parts
• Extra Metal From Old Repairs
• Tubular Steel 
• Plate Steel

If you are looking to scrap your farm equipment the be sure to contact Second Street Iron & Metal today!