31, Dec, 2018
Scrap Metal Recycling Facts
Scrap metal recycling is a big business. There are about 150 metric tons of scrap metal produced in the United States alone each year, with about 85 million being iron and steel. Manufacturers that use scrap metal instead of virgin iron can yield extensive benefits. They can expect a 75% savings in energy, 90% savings in raw materials, and 86% reduction in air pollution, to name a few.
Scrap metal recycling is unique because metal can be recycled repeatedly without any degradation of its properties. This allows manufacturers to continue to produce new products without having to mine new materials, thus reducing their carbon footprints.
Although the benefits are staggering, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding scrap metal recycling and the benefits it can provide. We’re going to debunk three myths about scrap metal recycling.
Scrap Metal Recycling Facts
Not all scrap metal is worth the same.
Fact: Scrap metal prices vary drastically depending on the quantity, quality, and type of material being recycled. The first step in identifying how much your metal is worth is to find out if It is magnetic or not. Magnetic metals are ferrous and aren’t worth as much as nonferrous metals. Nonferrous metals are worth more for a number of reasons, mainly because they have greater resistance against corrosion, higher conductivity, and weigh less. Scrap metal can range in value from $.10 to $2.50 per pound, depending on where you recycle it. For more about us and our prices, contact Taunton Scrap Metal today!
You need to clean the scrap metal before taking it to the recycling center.
Fact: While your scrap metal doesn’t to be sparkling clean, it is a good idea to remove any obvious dirt and debris before heading to the recycling center. In fact, if your metal is too dirty to distinguish the type, you will be paid the going rate for dirty metal and not what it would be worth if it were clean. It’s worth cleaning your metal to ensure you make the most at the recycling center.
You can make any money recycling scrap metal.
Fact: Scrap metal recycling can make you a significant amount of money. Not only can you recycle scrap metal found around your house, but you can often find it for free when others throw out what they assume is worthless trash. Regular recycling can provide a much needed secondary income stream.