The scrap recycling industry accommodates environmental waste concerns and fills a demand for reused materials. Scrap yards buy and recycle various metals, electronics, appliances, and vehicles in any condition. Gathering and selling scrap can help you make extra money with minimal effort. Here are seven ways to earn cash at your local scrap yard:
1. Aluminum Cans
Collecting aluminum soda and beer cans for recycling pays well per pound. Stash cans in storage bins in your garage until you accumulate sizable loads. Remember to rinse food residue out of containers, which might decrease their value. Aluminum is a closed-loop recyclable material because it can be recycled many times without losing its original quality. This makes aluminum profitable to sell. Recycling cans also keeps waste out of local landfills.
2. Copper Piping and Wires
Copper is used in many products, and like aluminum, it is a closed-loop recyclable. This makes scrap copper piping and wires profitable to sell by weight. Common sources of copper are plumbing pipes leftover from renovations, bus bars or bare wires from electrical projects, or copper sheeting. Scrap yards often pay the highest prices for bare copper, but rubber-coated copper wire and copper tubing with soldered fittings may also be sold.
3. Catalytic Converters
Catalytic converters convert toxic exhaust vehicle emissions into less hazardous compounds. Many newer catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which sell at increasing values. Before scraping your converter, review local regulations and scrap yardrequirements for proof of ownership, vehicle attachment, and purchase receipts.
4. Used Appliances
Old washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, and dishwashers likely have value even if they no longer work. Most scrap yards purchase broken household appliances for metal reclamation. Removing non-metal components, especially CFCs, ahead of time may maximize your payout. Some yards will accept appliances “as-is,” but it is best to call ahead to verify accepted brands and condition requirements.
5. Vehicle Batteries
Both regular lead-acid car batteries and hybrid vehicle batteries can be sold as scrap. Battery components like lead, lithium, nickel, cadmium, and other metals are recycled. Cracked cases with broken interior plates and leaked acid may also qualify to sell in scrap condition by weight. Remove batteries from old cars before bringing damaged vehicles to a salvage yard. Selling batteries separately helps gain optimal scrap payout.
6. Stainless Steel Items
Stainless steel often yields high scrap prices for its chromium content, which retains valuable properties after recycling. Unused stainless steel products like old sinks, appliances, pots and pans, and utensils are accepted at many scrap recycling centers. Porcelain, plastic, rubber, and other coatings could decrease the per-pound scrap value. Call the yard to confirm their stainless steel metal acceptance policy before gathering items to sell.
7. Aluminum Rims and Wheels
Aftermarket custom rims and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) aluminum alloy wheels usually have an excellent scrap redemption value. The aluminum in these parts is durable enough to remold into new products without losing strength. Gather unneeded rims and wheels that take up space around your garage and property. Some aluminum rims may be made of composite material, which could lower the value of your sale. Be sure to separate alloy parts from composite to get the best price.
Visit a Scrap Yard Today.
Gathering and selling scrap at a scrap yard is often an easy way to earn extra income. Some scrap yards offer pick-up services for large hauls during home renovations or on construction sites. Remember to bring a valid photo ID when finalizing transactions and ask for a receipt to document the sale. Contact a reliable scrap yard today to ask about recycling regulations and procedures to maximize your scrap profits.
