How to Recycle Metal and Metal Products

The scrap metal industry is, admittedly, getting very popular, especially for amateurs (Which I suspect you may be). Don’t worry! I was too, but I wrote down these 10 simple things quickly, saving you some embarrassing moments!

    Know The Metals

    The metal scrap industry is full of all types of metals, of all types of grades, and every type of “flavour”. It is your job as a scrap metal “artist” to know the difference between red brass and yellow brass… (hint hint It’s the color!) but also much more subtle things like the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel. You will learn very quickly by taking things to a scrap yard. Ask questions, and be curious! Scrap yard crew are the best people to ask, and should be more than willing to help.


    Collect All Scrap Metals

    This was more of a problem a few years ago, but I can’t tell you how often I have seen people pass up on appliances or things because they didn’t have enough non-ferrous metals in them. For the love of all that is sacred, do yourself a favor and grab everything that is metal! Steel is at peak prices. If you don’t collect steel and iron right now, you are a serious fool, and Mr. T takes pity on your soul.

    Break Down Thine Junk

    Ok, so now that you have a truck full of crap that your neighbors, businesses, ect have given you, what do you do. If you have been following trick #2, then you definitely know that appliances are heavy and are mostly steel. But you would also know that many scrap metal appliances are very easy to take rip open, and you can make a few extra dollars in 5 minutes.

    Befriend Thy Scrap Yard’s Crew

    The friendlier you are to the scrap yard, the friendlier they will be to you. The crew loves to have some donuts, trade jokes, ect. If you don’t mind being a bit of a kiss-ass, you can easily see yourself making 5% more on every scrap run just from the man at the weight table tipping things in your favor!

    Thou Shalt Not Steal Steel

    If you don’t want swat teams charging into your home in the middle of the night, scaring your children and handcuffing you and your wife, please, just don’t steal metal. It is honestly the most idiotic, low, scum-of-the-earth type of thing you could ever do. So, to save face for every scrapper who ever made a living from buying and selling scrap metals, please don’t be that guy.

    The Magnet Is The Friend

    The difference between getting $50 for a load of steel, and $350 for a load of stainless steel, is having a magnet handy. If you don’t keep a magnet on you at all times, you are not yet a true scrapper, IMHO. The magnet will help you sort metals from being ferrous and non-ferrous very quickly, and even stop you from potential and extremely costly mistakes, ie buying copper coated steel wire as copper wire.

    Fight For Thine Honor, (And For The Price!)

    Don’t let scrap yards trick you. Some yard owners are willing to bullshit you until your ears fall off. Don’t let them. Don’t be Disrespectful, I repeat DONT be disrespectful, but rather sit tight if you think you are in the right. If someplace wants to pay you a price that is too low, and an agreement cannot be made, take your products and leave. But, never be disrespectful. Take the high road, and you will always come out on top.

    Hold Yourself To The Highest Standards Of the Land

    To be a great scrapper, you must be a great businessman. You must be personable, professional, and polite. You should not try to cheat anybody, ever. One bad encounter will make your business name worthless. So, for your own sake, be professional. This includes officially filing for a business through the state. It means having your own business cards printed. It means having a separate phone line for your business calls. It means spending money on professional advertising! Do what you can to make yourself a professional.

    Know Your Rights!

    Selling Scrap metal is not illegal. Collecting Scrap metal from the trash is not illegal in almost all places either! (BUT CHECK YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT’S LAWS. SOME CITY LAWS TICKET DUMPSTER DIVING, GO FIGURE!) dumpster diving is not illegal! One of the easiest examples is recycling a scrap Microwave oven. Also, remember that you must pay taxes on your scrap metal income. This also goes along with being professional; and if you are caught breaking this one, lord have mercy. Know the Scrap Metal Laws!

    Check The Weights!

    This tip may fit in close with #7, in that it is to help protect you from bad scrap yards. Before selling any significant amount of metal to a scrap yard, check what the weight of the metal is with your own scale. If you find out later they stole 15% of your money, you are going to be sorry!

    April 11 2011 01:19 am | Environment

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