Scrap metal recycling is a smart choice for both eco-conscious individuals and for large industrial businesses with large stockpiles of recyclable scrap. An eco-friendly practice, scrap metal recycling keeps metal out of landfills, conserves natural resources, and earns money for recyclers and reclaimers alike. Follow these do’s and don’ts to learn the best practices to employ and the common mistakes to avoid when recycling scrap metal.

Do:

Separate your scrap.

Separating your scrap before you go to a metal recycling center will save the scrap yard time and get you the payment you deserve. By putting each metal type into its own container, scrap yards will pay you more. Loads of mixed metal are valued by weight according to the least valuable metal in the entire load.

Clean the scrap.

Cleaning scrap involves stripping and removing nuts, bolts, wires, and nails from any scrap. Nuts, bolts, wires, and nails should be individually sorted as well so that they can also be priced at their appropriate value.

Don’t:

Misidentify your scrap.

If you’re unsure of the metal content of your scrap, test it. Misidentifying scrap metal often results in lower valuations because the scrap yard has to re-sort it. Use magnets and spark tests as needed to help you accurately identify metals.

Collect scrap that’s not yours.

It may be tempting to grab metal that someone else has left on the curb, but collecting scrap metal that doesn’t belong to you is against the law in most communities. Only recycle your own scrap or scrap that someone else has expressly assigned to you.

When you’re ready to take your scrap cars, sheet metal, and used auto parts to a scrap metal recycling location, head to Phipps Auto Parts in Goshen, OH. This licensed salvage yard accepts both ferrous and nonferrous metals and pays competitive prices for them. Learn more about their recycling services online and call (513) 722-2034 with any questions about what they accept.