The scrap metal industry is a thriving business that has been around for many years. The first scrapyard opened back in 1838. Times have changed, and now there are more than 7,000 scrapyards across the United States. Scrap metal is worth money because it can be recycled to produce new items or used as an energy source. This article will take you through the process of how you can turn your old metals into cash.
Types of Scrap Metals You Can Sell
There are many different types of scrap metals that you can sell, and it depends on your location and what your local recycling center will accept. Here is a list of some common scrap metals: aluminum foil, aluminum cans, old appliances (stoves, ovens), steel drums, sheet metal (tin roofing), iron/stainless steel (water and gas tanks), copper, brass, radiators.
There are two ways you can sell your scrap metals, such as scrap metal recycling centers and scrapyards. Recycling centers will pay by weight to recycle the metal into something else like new appliances, etc. Typically, they won’t give you money, but rather a check for your metal.
scrapyards will pay you whatever the current price per pound is for your metals, which fluctuates daily with the market.
If you go to a recycling center, be sure that they are appropriately licensed and insured and have good reviews from their customers. This means doing some research on any company before you give them your metals. For scrapyards, you can check out their current inventory on sites like ‘Junk King’ and ‘Get It Gone’ so you can review the companies to see if they have any bad reviews or complaints from past customers.
How to Determine the Worth of Your Scrap Metals?
The best way to determine if your metals have value is to call your local recycling center and ask what they will buy. You can also look up the current price of metals on websites like scrap metal prices, so you know if it’s a good deal or not.
Many factors contribute to the value of scrap metal, such as the type of material (aluminum vs. steel), whether the item is ferrous or non-ferrous, and if it’s copper or another precious metal like silver/gold, etc.
There is always a buying market for scrap metals wherever you are in the world. As long as they are non-hazardous, it’s worth looking into selling your old metal items to make some extra money. The scrap market supply and demand are constantly changing, so it’s a good idea to do some research before you commit to selling your metals.