5 Factors To Consider When Recycling Scrap Metals

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Unlike plastic, metals can be recycled repeatedly without any quality degradation.

They are also non-renewable assets, meaning there is a set quantity of them on this planet. So, recycling metals correctly is very important to keep the balance, especially if you’re trying to go zero waste.

Recycling a scrap metal collection can be beneficial from both a financial and environmental perspective. But most of the time, people make mistakes while recycling scrap metals.

We have listed five things to consider when recycling scrap metals.

1. Prepare your scraps before recycling

Don’t even think of going to a scrap yard without preparing your metal. Most people do this mistake. You need to be prepared before recycling any metal.

First, you need to clean your scrap metal. In most cases, a leftover particle on the cans will not be accepted in recycling centres. You need to wash them before taking them to the recycling centre.

Also, make sure there is no plastic wrapper attached to the metal.

2. Check your recycling company’s metal recycling

There are many recycling companies, and many of them do not accept all kinds of metal. So investigate your locality and find out the best recycling company for you. Make sure to check the company accepts a wide range of metals. Call that company to ensure that they take the metal you have. This will save you money and time.

Look for a recycling company that is closer to your home. This will save you money on travel. Make sure they have flexible working hours.

If your business generates a decent amount of scrap metal, then ensure the recycling company provides good customer service.

3. Know the grades of your metal scraps

There are different grades of metal. So if you are going to recycle scrap metals, first ensure the metal’s grade. For example, copper wire has different types of grades; it depends upon the weight of the insulation and the weight of the copper itself.

Usually, insulated copper wire has three grades, while solid copper wire has two grades. Also, ensure the price of the grade; otherwise, you might receive less for your metal.

4. Organise the metal scraps

Not organising your scrap metal collection may cost you money. Different metals have different pricing. So you need to separate different metals from your scrap metal collection. Aluminum, copper, and stainless steel recycling often bring in more value, so it’s worth your while to process these metals separately.

Now the question is, how can you identify the metal and differentiate them from each other?

An easy way to start is to use a magnet. This will help you identify the magnetic metals. These metals usually have steel or iron in them. You can identify copper by its colour.

Call an expert if you are still confused about a certain metal. But make sure to have all the metal differentiated before recycling it.

5. Compare the relevant pricing

Metal prices fluctuate regularly. Before going to a scrap yard, inquire about the metal prices of different recycling companies through phone calls.

The metal prices depend on demand, so educate yourself about the latest prices. Also, inquire if there will be a hike in price in the upcoming day. It doesn’t hurt to wait if you get more bucks for the same amount of metal.

Conclusion

Scrapping the unwanted metal can be a profitable and eco-friendly method for you if done properly. If you consider the above-mentioned factors, you can easily convert your scrap metal into cash and do something good for the planet. But you must understand how to recycle metals in the UK, organize, and clean them properly, and gain knowledge about current metal rates. To know more about metal scrapping, contact your nearby scrap metal collection or recycling services and know their process.