| Scrap metal is a combination of pieces of various | | | | All scrap metal is divided into two categories. |
| metals that are left over from projects. With the | | | | Ferrous scrap metals include iron and steel. There |
| amount of metal used in construction and other | | | | are 120 grades of ferrous scrap metal that come |
| types of projects, the amount of scrap metal left | | | | from a variety of courses including old railroad |
| over can result in quite a bit of materials. Rather | | | | cars, vehicles, and farm equipment. Non-ferrous |
| than simply discarding this left over metal, it is | | | | scrap metals include copper and aluminum. This |
| collected and melted. The process allows the | | | | type of scrap metal is worth more than iron and |
| scraps to be turned into usable metal. This also | | | | steel. |
| helps to conserve our natural resources of metal. | | | | Prices for scrap metal vary. To get the most for |
| It also reduces the amount of materials that end | | | | your money, it is a good idea to store the scrap |
| up in our landfills. | | | | metal product you have until the prices go up, |
| Scrap metal can be sold to various industries for | | | | then take the scrap metal to a recycler. Working |
| a very small return. While you won’t get | | | | for a scrap metal recycling company pays quite |
| much for it, the amount is better than simply | | | | well, but it is dangerous work. There are |
| throwing out the unused pieces of metal. For | | | | hazardous materials present in scrap metal that |
| factories and construction companies, the amount | | | | can cause injury or death during the melting |
| of scrap metal they accumulate over time can | | | | process. There is also the risk of injury or death |
| add up to quite a bit of money when they | | | | while moving the scrap metal because there are |
| exchange it for cash. There are many industries | | | | often very sharp edges. |
| that specialize in making scrap metal into usable | | | | Recycling scrap metal is a huge industry. Not only |
| pieces of metal. | | | | do they make money reselling a product they |
| The amount of scrap metal processed each year | | | | purchased for a very small amount of money, |
| may surprise you. More than 56 million tons of it is | | | | they are helping to conserve our natural |
| processed. 10 million tons of it comes from old | | | | resources and cut down on the amount of |
| vehicles. In addition to vehicles and metal used in | | | | material in our landfills. Recycling scrap metal also |
| the construction business, many household items | | | | helps keep prices down when you go to purchase |
| are including in this recycling process. These items | | | | such products because there is a healthy supply |
| include bed frames, appliances, tools, and toys. | | | | of it. |