Scrap Metal Recycling Basic Knowledge

Recycling is essential because even used items are still made up of many valuable materials. This helps conserve our finite resources and can have a great impact on the environment. By implementing eco-friendly approaches, we can reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and save energy when producing new products. 

Everyone knows that items like plastic bottles and newspapers should be recycled but many don’t realise that recyclables are not limited to only plastic and paper but also include scrap metal. Although recycling scrap metal is not as popular as recycling other materials, it has tons of hidden potential advantages. For instance, producing items using recycled steel requires 60% less energy than using steel ore. We can gradually reduce ore mining and preserve the earth’s natural resources by manufacturing new products using recycled scrap metal.

Sadly, due to the lack of information about scrap metal recycling, most people still throw it away. This article will help you to understand more about how to go about recycling unused and unwanted metal items which you should do for the sake of our environment — as well as some extra cash!

Scrap Metal Recycling Process

Most people are still unaware of the mere potential of recycling scrap metal let alone that a lot of scrap metal recyclers in Perth are available and willing to give you cold, hard cash in exchange. To take advantage of this process, scrap metal can be easily located around you. From food cans, unused steel beams, old wires and electrical equipment to old copper piping and brass fixtures, there are many places where you could find them. Take all your scrap metal to the nearest scrap metal recyclers in Perth to get it recycled to make the most money off of it. Just give us a call on 0411 747 174.

Here is a basic summary of the scrap metal recycling process.

1. Identify the Metal Value

Scrap metal recyclers will use a magnet to determine which metals are ferrous and non-ferrous. This is an essential step to complete before continuing the recycling process. You can replicate this step at home by using the same method. If the metal sticks to the magnet, that means it’s a ferrous metal such as steel or iron. Alternatively, metals that do not stick to the magnet are considered non-ferrous like brass, copper, aluminium, bronze, and stainless steel. Both types of metal will be accepted by scrap metal recyclers, but they are valued differently, with non-ferrous metals being typically valued higher than their ferrous counterparts.

2. Identify the Metal Type

Ferrous Metal

  • Steel

Steel is an alloy composed mostly of iron and carbon, with carbon content typically ranging from 0.05% to 2.1%. It is widely used in construction, transportation, and manufacturing industries due to its strength, durability, and low cost. Steel can be easily found in many things such as old hangers, broken washing machines, and other items

  • Iron

Iron is the most commonly used metal in the world, largely due to it being the main constituent of the alloy steel. It is a ferrous metal that is widely available, strong, and cheap. This metal is also the most recycled metal on the planet because of its simple recycling process. You can find it in numerous household items including washing machines, boilers, and bathtubs.

  • Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a ferrous metal, meaning it contains iron. It is an alloy composed of at least 10.5% chromium, which gives it its unique resistance to corrosion. The addition of nickel, which is typically between 8-10%, also contributes to its strength and durability. This type of steel can be more expensive than other ferrous metals. Because of its resistance to rust and staining, stainless steel recycling is highly valued.

  • Carbon Steel

Carbon steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, with carbon content typically ranging from 0.2% to 2% of the material’s composition. It is a type of steel that is widely used in the manufacturing industry due to its low cost and high strength. The weldability and other characteristics of this steel are primarily a product of carbon content, although the alloying and residual elements do have a minor influence.

Non-Ferrous Metal

  • Brass

Brass is a heavy metal that is usually present in valves, faucets, keys and doorknobs. It is a combination of copper and zinc, with a natural yellowish colouration (though it can turn greenish when abandoned outside for a prolonged period of time).

  • Copper

Copper comes in a reddish colour and turns dark brown when it is worn. It is the most valuable non-ferrous metal for recycling, so you should keep an eye out for any items that contain this material. Some places you can find copper include power cords, computer cables, extension cords, cooking pans, plumbing pipes and electromagnets.

  • Aluminium

Aluminium is a silvery-coloured metal that looks similar to steel but can be easily distinguished because it doesn’t stick to the magnet. You can find aluminium in car hoods, motorbikes, window frames, and soda and beer cans.

  • Bronze

Bronze is a combination of several metals, such as nickel, zinc, manganese, aluminium, copper, and tin which results in a metallic brown colour. It looks similar to copper, but bronze is more resistant to corrosion and water damage.

  • Lead

Lead has corrosion resistance and excellent malleability features which make it a perfect material for industry. It is pliable, soft, and heavy so it tends to be used for things such as pipes and wheel weights.

3. Prepare the Containers

Once you understand what type of scrap metal you’re dealing with, you can sort the metals into different containers. This is important because every metal has a different value. You don’t want the scrap metal recycler to pay you based on the least valuable metal type.

Scrap Metal Recyclers Near You

When you have sorted all the scrap metal in your house, it’s a good time to call the scrap metal recyclers in Perth. Dream Lucky Scrap Metal will gladly pay top dollar for the scrap metal that you have, so you should contact us for a call now at 0411 747 174.

Contact Us Dream Lucky Scrap Metal
Reviewed by
Omer Bekhit

The dedicated owner and operator of Dream Lucky Scrap Metal. He has been at the forefront of ethical scrap metal recycling, exporting, and dealing. With a hands-on approach to the business, Omer ensures that every transaction is conducted with transparency and sustainability in mind.