Metal comes in a number of forms: clothes hangers, copper piping, aluminum cans, and electric wires are just a few examples. Most people throw unwanted metal scraps into the household trash once they’re done with it, but did you know that metal can be recycled? Metal is actually a precious resource that can be reused and recycled in your own backyard. Not only that, but it can leak dangerous chemicals into the ground when left in a dump. Read on to learn more about scrap metal recycling.
Various Types of Metal
Local scrap yards accept the following metals most often:
- Copper
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Iron
- Metal Identification
Use a magnet to determine the type of metal you have on hand. Ferrous metal sticks to the magnet, meaning you have something like steel or iron. This can be recycled, but you won’t get much money for it at a scrap yard.
Metals that don’t stick to a magnet are non-ferrous. These types of metal are more valuable to a scrap metal facility and are in high demand for recycling. Some examples of non-ferrous metals include copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, and bronze.
Where You Find Scrap Metal
Metals are not just confined to job sites. You can find a number of recyclable metals lying around the house that you use on a daily basis. Here are a few:
- Cans and other food containers
- Wire hangers
- Aluminum soda cans
- Unused aluminum foil
- House fixtures like lighting, doorknobs, pipes, gutters, and keys
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