Taking unwanted items to a metal recycling facility helps protect the environment. It limits the need to mine for natural resources—an activity that drains energy and releases greenhouse gas emissions into the air. For a further incentive to recycle, you’ll receive cash back for scrap metal. To ensure the process goes smoothly, below are steps to take and other practices to avoid. 

Do:

Research market prices. 

Some metals are more valuable than others. Due to its corrosion-resistant properties and malleable nature, copper, for example, is a sought-after item. Metal recycling centers tend to pay more for the material. As a precious metal, silver is also coveted, which is reflected in the pricing. For a better idea of how much cash you’ll get, research the current market price per pound for different scrap metals, and find a center that offers pricing to match. 

Separate your scrap. 

To ensure no items go unnoticed or get misidentified, separate scrap metal at home. Doing so will expedite the process at the metal recycling center, as representatives won’t have to take time to sort the materials. Organizing items at home also prevents confusion when logging and processing the inventory, ensuring you are paid appropriately.  

Don’t:

Apply guesswork.

When you sort items at home, don’t guess as to the type of material. You could accidentally put a valuable piece of metal in a pile with inexpensive materials. If technicians fail to notice the oversight, you could end up getting less for the load. If you’re not sure what type of metal you have, research the item it belongs to online. The metal type should be listed in the product description.   

Forget to clean scrap.

In addition to sorting, don’t forget to clean or prepare scrap metal for recycling. This means stripping copper, taking nuts and bolts out of the metals, and removing anything else attached to the materials. You could sell these pieces separately to get more money.

If you are looking for a reputable metal recycling facility, contact Metalico Rochester. The recyclers are known throughout Monroe County, NY, for offering excellent prices for a wide variety of goods, including car parts and household items. To learn more about the process, call (585) 436-0713. See a list of items accepted online, and look for business updates on Facebook.