When you’re operating a world-class industrial facility, there’s much more going on than tossing steel into one bin and aluminum into another. From aircraft manufacturing facilities to medical device plants, many types of scrap are getting tossed in the trash or lumped into with a “bulk steel” dumpster. Scrap such as specialty alloys, exotic metals, coated wires and other high-dollar items can easily be overlooked or contaminated if you don’t have a system in place to properly sort and store it.
We’ve put together a list of some of the most commonly missed opportunities for recycling industrial scrap. Before you throw that next machine part in the dumpster, think about what it’s made of. Is it recycle-worthy? Do you need to take steps to store it properly? Today, let’s talk about maximizing your revenue on specialized industrial scrap metals.
Recycling Specialty Metals
Have you ever heard of 300 series stainless steel? What about Hastelloy or Inconel? If you work in manufacturing, you’ve likely come across these high-dollar metals and may have no idea what they are worth or how to store them. These metals are often “floating around” the facility and mixed in with scrap that has very little value.
The big problem is that when your most expensive metals get mixed in with low-grade steel, there is no coming back. Whoever buys that load of scrap is going to price it at the value of the lowest content metal. Separate these high-value industrial metals from the beginning, and you’ll start to see an increase in your check from the scrap yard.
High-Dollar Stainless and Heat-Resistant Alloys
Stainless steel isn’t just what you find on your fridge. There are many types and grades of stainless steel. The vast majority of stainless steel found in industrial applications is either 300 series stainless or a high-temperature alloy such as Inconel, Hastelloy or Monel. Stainless steel can range from .02% nickel content all the way to 70% nickel. It’s this nickel that scrap dealers use to determine the value of your scrap.
Just because your metal doesn’t stick to a magnet doesn’t necessarily mean it is 300 series stainless. It’s good to contact your dealer ahead of time to see what they can do to properly identify the metals. Below are some examples of high-dollar alloys that should be separated from your standard scrap bins.
Did you know that Inconel can easily fetch $1.00 per pound more than scrap stainless?
Insulated Wire and eleEctronics
Everything these days seems to include USB ports or controls, or has some other sort of electronics built into it. Control panels, conveyor belts, wiring, these are all examples of high-dollar scrap that contains copper wiring and possibly even electronics. Make sure these items aren’t getting dumped in a landfill. Not only could you be holding potentially recyclable metals, but you could be throwing away computer equipment with personally identifiable information (PII) on it. Take the time to sort through your electronics scrap and sell it to your local scrap dealer.
Lead and Heavy Metals
Do you have lead-acid batteries at your facility? Do you work in telecommunications or have radiation shielding? Chances are, you have some lead hanging around.
Lead is a very dense metal and it should be kept separate from your other scrap. Not only will it boost your per ton price, but it could potentially cause you and your facility liability if it leaks into the ground.
We recommend storing any lead products in containers with tight-fitting lids. This will prevent any potential leaks and store your lead safely. If you need to recycle lead, be sure you are working with a company that can properly store and process lead.
Spotting Hidden Treasures
Brass turns and bronze are usually found in machining facilities. These can go unseen because they’re small pieces of metal — not only is it important to store them correctly, you need to make sure they don’t get thrown in with your shavings!
Although brass and bronze look very similar, they have different values. As long as the metal is solid and not mixed with shavings, we can easily determine which is which.
Red brass has a high copper content. Look for this material in places like water meters and larger pipe fittings.
Custom Containers for Every Scrap Stream
Industrial scrap comes in all shapes and sizes. One facility may have scrap coming out of a press that makes large-scale sheets of aluminum. Another may only produce turnings from machining brass parts. With that being said, there’s never just one bin size that will work for your facility.
Big Bins for Big Scrap
If your facility produces a large amount of scrap, you will most likely need a larger container. Large steel bins come in 20, 30, and 40-yard capacities. Not only will this create an organized look on your floor, but it will allow you to throw all your scrap into one container without multiple trips.
Small Bins for High-Dollar Scraps
Smaller containers can be used for higher-dollar-content metals. These bins are often lockable to deter theft. Not only will you save space by using these bins, but you’ll also ensure your high-dollar content metals don’t get contaminated.
5 Steps to Streamline Your Metal Recycling Program
As we mentioned before, every facility’s needs are different. Maybe you only produce a few pounds of scrap a week, and that’s fine! Whatever your situation may be, try these five steps to make your life easier.
1. Audit your scrap
Figure out where all your scrap is coming from. This could be cardboard, metal, plastic, etc. You’ll want to separate these items so you know what type of containers you’ll need.
2. Sort your metals
Once you’ve located all the metal scrap, try to sort it into ferrous and non-ferrous metal. If you have special alloys such as stainless steel, separate those as well.
3. Label, label, label
Get in the habit of labeling your containers! Write on the containers what scrap can and cannot go in there. If you’re sorting stainless, make sure to label that container “304 stainless only.” This will help you and your employees stay organized.
4. Store your Shavings properly
If your facility produces shavings or turnings from machining, we recommend purchasing a metal hopper. These containers have lids that snap on, preventing any fluids from leaking out.
5. Don’t guess at your grade
Ever wonder how the scrap yard knows how much your scrap is worth? Chances are, they don’t. The big guy down the street probably eyeballs your trash and grades it accordingly. At Action Metals Recycling, we grade all incoming scrap with an X-Ray analyzer. This allows us to know exactly what we are paying you for.
Schedule Your Pickup Today at Action Metals
Once you’ve determined what bins you’ll need and what kinds of scrap you have, you’re ready to schedule your first pickup! Give us a call or shoot us an email. We typically can get out to your facility within 24 hours to get your first pickup rolling.
Don’t let specialized metals go to waste
Here at Action Metals Recycling, we pride ourselves on accepting the “hard to handle” scraps that other yards won’t take. We understand that your facility functions like an ecosystem. Every piece matters, and we’re happy to tailor your recycling program to your specific needs.
We take the guesswork out of recycling. With our hydraulic shears, we can cut down your scrap into manageable pieces. Plus, we offer custom lids for your containers to help prevent theft and protect your scrap from the elements.
Did we mention we offer FREE Pick up within 24 hours?
We are SWPPP certified and fully licensed. You can rest easy knowing your material will be handled responsibly and in compliance with all state and local regulations. We don’t just take your trash away, we pay you for it!
Contact us today to learn how we can help you maximize your revenue on specialized industrial scrap metals.
FAQ
Q. Can you recycle metals that have machine oils on them?
Yes, we accept all industrial shavings and parts that have cutting oils or lubricants on them. We ask that you store your shavings in a leak-proof container if possible. Excessive “wet” scrap will be priced differently due to the weight of the fluid and additional processing.
Q. How do I know if my stainless is 300 series?
The easiest way to test if your stainless is 300 series is to use a magnet. All 300 series stainless grades (304, 316) are non-magnetic. If a magnet sticks to your metal, it is probably a 400 series or lower-grade stainless. Contact us to identify your specialized industrial scrap metals.
Q. I have a bucket full of mixed metals — what should I do?
Ideally, you should keep all your metals separate. Once metals are mixed together, the scrap buyer will price the load at the value of the lowest-valued metal.