If you plan ahead, deconstruction work can yield thousands of dollars in scrap metal value that would otherwise be lost to the landfill. Building materials like copper wire, steel, conduit, and pipe seldom finish at the top of a demolition crew’s to-do list. Property owners and construction managers who take control of their job sites recover these assets and sell them to scrap metal recyclers long before they’re buried underneath dumpsters of concrete and drywall.
When structures are marked for demolition, site managers who focus on stripping out salvageable material reap huge payouts on material that would otherwise be considered structural waste.
Preparing for the wrecking ball should always start with a thorough assessment of the building as a literal vertical dumpster full of recyclable materials. Copper wire, structural beams, plumbing fittings, and electrical conduit are valuable commodities. Removing them before a bulldozer hits the site eliminates possible contamination and reduces your scrap value. Make your clean-up costs pay for themselves.
Why Focus on Total Metal Recovery Before Demolition?
Avoid having productive scrap metals ruined by heavy demolition. Strip out these high-dollar commodities before swinging the wrecking ball.
Residential and commercial demolition projects rarely sort copper pipe from brass fittings before the bulldozers roll through. When that happens, tons of valuable metal finish the job, mixed in with shattered concrete and insulation. Rather than being tossed into a dumpster, consider removing copper piping, conduit, fittings, and structural metal beforehand.
Cleaning metals in-place not only secures top dollar but also saves time. When demolition crews bulldoze through a structure that hasn’t been stripped out, all of the metal is cross-contaminated by drywall dust, concrete chips, and insulation. After rolling through your building, excavator operators will have to spend time and money separating copper from PVC pipe as well as sorting structural steel from broken concrete.
Keep conveyor belts free of concrete dust and drywall mud by reclaiming metals first.
Sorting through a dumpster full of demolition waste is incredibly tedious, especially when scrap metals are buried. Copper tubing and wire are non-ferrous, meaning they won’t stick to a magnet. When excavators bulldoze through your facility, tons of copper finish in rubble piles. Removing it all by hand is next to impossible, and few recycling centers want to pay top dollar for unusable scrap.
Designate time and resources to remove valuable metals before demolition begins. Strip out metal with the help of your crew or subcontractors first, then clean up the site like you normally would.
How Does Total Metal Recovery Improve Site Logistics?
Plan container placement and container swaps based on the stage of deconstruction. Maximize efficiency by staging bulk items like steel beams or copper conduit near scrap bins beforehand.
Site logistics are drastically different when a dump truck drives away with a full load of scrap metal. Loading pockets of recyclable metals slowly eats into your workday, especially if hauling companies have to wait to access their containers.
By proactively planning for scrap removal, site foremen can strategically place dumpsters and lockers where they’re easily accessible without interrupting traffic patterns. Maximize job site productivity by preparing for scrap metal clean-out long before the actual work starts.
Communication with your hauler allows you to choreograph when bins should be emptied. Perhaps industrial scrap needs to be removed from a second-story exterior wall before the whole wall comes down. Instead of moving the dumpster every time you need to bolt something off, stage your containers near the perimeter of the building. This ensures all cleared material is easily accessible, meaning you won’t waste time or effort moving heavy roll-off bins around.
- 20-Yard Roll-Off — Doesn’t fill up too quickly due to weight restrictions. Best for: Steel Plates, Valve Meterpieces, Heavy Machinery
- 40-Yard Roll-Off — Best for: Lightweight, bulky materials like Tin Roofs, Ductwork, or Sheet Metal
- Toteboxes — Best for: Copper Scrap Wire, Brass Fittings. Lock these to secure your haul from theft.
Prior to beginning demolition work, take the time to stroll through the building and develop a game plan. Balance copper wire loads with structural steel so your bins don’t fill up too quickly.
Will large machinery be needed to access certain materials? Are loads going to be bulky and light or heavy and compact? Asking yourself these questions will help you efficiently place containers on-site and prepare for maximum scrap removal.
How Can I Maintain Environmental Compliance During Demolition?
Environmental regulations require you to sort through demolition debris to identify regulated materials before beginning any sort of recovery work.
There will always be rules and regulations that supervisors need to abide by before metal strip-out can occur. Make sure any copper piping, HVAC units, and structural beams are cleared of hazards before they’re sold to a scrap metal recycler.
Project managers have a responsibility to properly dispose of environmental hazards. Failing to follow these steps can cost you time, money, and even delay your entire demolition schedule.
Materials that typically fall under environmental compliance include asbestos, lead paint, and hazardous chemical drums. Prominently featuring these materials somewhere on-site ensures they’ll be found during your internal audit. Not only will this save time, but it will also guarantee you won’t incur any financial burdens down the line.
Cleaning metals also requires you to document that the materials are contaminant-free. Make sure this step is not overlooked. Recycling centers typically require some form of compliance documentation before accepting your metals for processing.
Earn your metal recycling rewards by keeping detailed records of material removed from the job site.
After an audit is complete and documentation is in order, share your findings with your metal recycling partner. Many local recyclers offer project managers bonuses or incentives based on total tonnage diverted from landfills.
Including scrap metal removal in your green blueprint not only benefits the environment but your bottom line as well. Take notes and track every load that leaves the premises to ensure your project stays compliant.
How Does Maximizing Metal Recovery Help My Sustainability Plan?
Copper and steel do not have to take up space in a landfill. Reclaiming recyclable materials before demolition supports your green objectives.
Companies today care more about sustainability than ever before. Not only does recycling metals reduce your structural waste, but it also translates to bragging rights on your annual corporate summary.
Landfills are filling up. Municipalities across the globe are encouraging construction companies to divert waste from landfills whenever possible. Copper and steel are two metals that can be infinitely recycled.
Recycling just one steel beam can save approximately {X} pounds of carbon emissions. Imagine how much your company can save by scraping every last ounce of metal from a project. Recycled steel also reduces the need for mining virgin ore from the ground.
Many structural metals can be repurposed and recycled over and over. Return as much metal to the supplier as possible, and watch your sustainability numbers skyrocket.
- A certified technician should evacuate HVAC units.
- Aluminum facias should be separated from windows.
- Record your tons diverted for your final punch list.
Maximizing Your Return on Demolition — How to Prepare For a Metal Audit
Preparing a building for demolition begins with auditing the project for valuable scrap metals. Some jobs may require you to walk the grounds twice. Identifying scrap metals early can prevent project delays and allow you to solicit multiple scrap metal quotes.
Remember to closely examine mechanical rooms and every electrical box you come across. Heavy copper wires and transformers are dense and weigh several hundred pounds each. Identifying these metals early allows you to plan accordingly and not get surprised when they arrive on site.
Take note of these metals, their quantities, and where they’re located on the premises. Providing your scrap metal company with as much information as possible can prevent downtime and boost your bottom line.
Let the Experts Take Care of Logistics | Action Metals Provides Maximum Value and On-Time Delivery
Going through demolition and construction can be stressful. Let Action Metals service your job site while you focus on finishing the job. Our team of professionals can design a container plan that maximizes your ROI while ensuring your project doesn’t come to a halt while you wait for scrap bins to be emptied.
Reach out today to see how we can improve your demolition or construction job site.
FAQ
Q. What’s the best way to store copper pipe onsite?
- All clean copper should be kept in a secure location like a locked container or job site trailer. Do not allow your scrap metal to sit out in the open where it can easily be stolen.
Q. Can painted structural steel be recycled?
- Painted steel is perfectly recyclable. Steel that has been painted with lead-based paint requires additional processing. Paint containing lead is hazardous, and disposal of painted steel must be handled according to federal, state, and local regulations.
Q. How long should I expect to wait for a container exchange?
- Typically, customers give us 1-2 days’ notice of upcoming container swaps. When possible, schedule your container exchanges to align with demolition milestones.
