Steel is the number one
recycled metal on earth. Almost every product made
in the world contains some steel.
There are many different
grades and alloys all are worth different amounts.
Cast iron, stainless steel, sheet metal,
construction steel, ect.
Stainless steel: is worth
about 5 times as much as regular steel,
Cast iron: is another one that
is usually at a premium because the material is at
a more virgin state, also item like cast iron
engine blocks and machine tools are made from very
pure alloys.
Construction steel: The most
common seen would be I - Beams, Steel plate, and
pipe and tubing. This material is worth more bare
and unpainted. But most salvage companies will
give you a good rate on it either way.
Sheet Metal: This is by far
the most common. Our cars, office furniture,
shelves, soup cans, ect are all made from sheet
steel. The rate for sheet steel is one of the
lowest because if it is painted or plated the
recovery rate of pure alloy is less than with the
other forms mentioned.
Metal turnings: These are the
shavings left from machining operations. This
material is worth slightly less that construction
steel because of contamination from cutting oils,
and foreign materials.
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Copper and copper alloys such
as Brass and Bronze, have one of the highest cost
per pound rates of non precious metals.
Good copper and copper alloy
sources include: copper pipe, plumbing fixtures,
bronze bearings, copper wire, transformers,
electric motors, copper trim, buss bars, light
balasts, cooking pots, door knobs, circuit boards,
ect.
The great thing about copper
and copper alloys is you don't need very much to
make allot of money. Currently at the writing of
this article copper is at $3.15 per
pound.
