Common Metals in Your Home You Can Scrap

Living in a throw-away society, we often discard numerous items without giving a second thought to their potential worth. You may not be an avid recycler, but did you know that by finding, collecting, and scrapping certain everyday items in your home, you can save the environment and even pocket some extra cash?

From discarded appliances to forgotten fixtures, our living spaces house an array of common metals that, when properly recognized and recycled, can offer both environmental benefits and a potential source of extra income. In this enlightening blog article, delve into the world of common metals that often go unnoticed within our homes, shedding light on their recycling potential.

Copper

Copper remains one of the most valuable metals on the market, which makes it one of the most lucrative scrap metals to collect. Copper is a common material in kitchenware, tableware, plumbing systems, cables, and electrical equipment. Because of its many uses, copper can be found just about wherever at home, making it a good candidate for a scrap recycling company.

The value of your copper will depend greatly on its grade, so evaluate it. Separating your copper from other metals, like aluminum, is also crucial, as certain machines are required for this step of the recycling process. Scrappers may count on copper's rising value as a commodity to boost their bottom line, so you will never miss a market.

Steel and Stainless Steel

Steel is a ferrous metal that may be forged from low-quality scrap iron, so its value is typically viewed as lower than that of other scrap metals. Although steel is typically only seen in industrial or commercial settings, its scrap value remains high. Thus, you can find steel if your house has recently undergone a construction project.

As opposed to this, stainless steel is more typically found in domestic settings, particularly in the kitchen where it is used to make various appliances and utensils. Its little concentrations of chromium and nickel, in addition to iron, make it more precious than steel.

While steel is magnetic, the stainless steel generally utilized in residential settings is not. Depending on the percentage of nickel alloyed into a specific batch, the price of scrap stainless steel might vary widely depending on the grade.

If stainless steel is contaminated with oil or grease, scrap recycling facilities may pay less for it, but they offer a greater price for clean stainless steel. So, before you sell your stainless steel for scrap, make sure it's spotless.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a lightweight, ductile metal that is resistant to rust and corrosion. Due to its ease of recycling, aluminum is quickly gaining in popularity as a scrap metal resource. Although aluminum cans are the first thing that comes to mind when discussing recycling metal, there are actually many other potential sources. Aluminum can be extracted from a wide variety of sources, including outdated fencing, broken electronics, kitchen and bike equipment, and bike frames.

Brass

From a monetary standpoint, brass scrap is widely sought after because of its long lifespan and low price. When polished, brass takes on a beautiful golden luster that only enhances its visual appeal. When properly cared for, its longevity is enhanced by its resistance to rust and corrosion.

Brass frequently serves as a material for old objects, like door knobs, drawer pulls, and old decorative items. It is also used to make bed frameworks, bathroom fittings, and pipes for plumbing.

Cast Iron

Despite its low value, cast iron is heavy enough to make giving it to a scrap recycling company worthwhile. Cast iron is a common metal used to make plumbing, kitchenware, fireplaces, and bathroom fixtures. Since it oxidizes easily, it typically takes on a rusty hue. If you want to earn the most money for your cast iron scrap, avoid mixing it with other types of scrap.

If you have some metal junk lying in your house, contact us at JDog Junk Removal & Hauling for metal junk removal and recycling.