One of the advantages of scrap metal is that it's easy to recycle. If you have odds and ends you can't use, you can sell them to a salvage yard for a good return. That way, the unused portion doesn't go to waste but is instead transformed into other useful products. Before you recycle, you may have questions about the process. Here are answers to some of the most common. 

Points to Know About Scrap Metal Recycling

What constitutes "scrap metal?"

For most households, metal scrap comes in the form of junk cars. However, another common source is old kitchen appliances, like stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, and more. Non-functional washers, dryers, toasters, televisions, computers, and AC units are also sources, as are food and drink canisters.

How does recycling metal benefit the environment?

It reduces the energy needed to mine, extract, and refine raw metal ore. It reduces the fuel required to transport these raw materials to and from manufacturers, which reduces both greenhouse gases and the cost of finished goods for the end-user. It also limits the number of salvageable materials that would otherwise become landfill waste and potentially leak contaminants into the soil or water.

What kind of metals can be recycled?

Nearly any metal can be recycled, although steel and iron are most common. Other metals that recycle well include copper, brass, and aluminum. Only mercury, uranium, and plutonium are too toxic to be recycled, although some facilities will not accept recycled lead.

What do metal recyclers do?

Most recycling services sort metals into different types and then crush, bail, and bundle them for transport. The metals are shipped to processing facilities where they are melted and sent to manufacturers for reuse.

For a fair price on recycled scrap metal, contact Phipps Auto Parts, the premier salvage yard in Goshen, OH. They have served Clermont County and the surrounding areas since 1980. They maintain a 5-acre yard filled with junk cars, sheet iron, and even non-ferrous metals. Learn more about them on their website, or call (513) 722-2034 to discuss your scrap metal recycling needs.