Have you ever wondered how much scrap steel is lying around your home or workplace, garage or garden? There could be scrap metal worth a tiny fortune lying rusting and useless in your basement, if you have one, or, in some parts of the house that you barely visit.
Should this be your case, I suggest that you collect all the scrap metal- regardless of its condition- and sell it immediately to make some good cash. By selling scrap metal now, you would also help prevent water and soil pollution while protecting family and yourself from possible injuries and accidents.
There’re several reasons to offer scrap metal lying around your place, actually. Before I proceed to tell you where you offer scrap metal near you, I will speak about these reasons.
Reasons to Sell Scrap Metal
The US ranks as the third largest exporter of scrap metal. France ranks at No-1, followed by Germany at the No-2 position. In 2021, the US exported $7.8 billion worth of scrap steel of all types. The largest importers of scrap metal from the US and other countries are Turkey, Asia, Italy and Germany. India alone accounts for importing $ 3.48 billion worth of scrap metal from the US and other places, says the Observatory for Economic Complexity.
By selling scrap metal, you’re actually helping the US trade with other countries to grow.
All metals that we use are actually alloys made by mixing one main metal with small amounts of others. When exposed to elements of nature such as heat, moisture, cold and humidity, these metals tend to oxidize and leak toxins into the soil and water. Such toxins are usually mercury, lead and arsenic, among others.
Food is grown in contaminated soil usually contains traces of these toxins that’re harmful to people and could cause cancer. Fish from polluted waters contain large doses of mercury, arsenic and lead, which can poison humans.
Metals that you sell as scrap are recycled. That’s why countries such as India, Italy and Belgium buy metal scrap from the USA and other places. If enough scrap isn’t available for recycling and reuse in making other useful products, the demand has to be met by mining for minerals containing these metals.
Mining is an industry that’s notorious for polluting air, water and soil while depleting the Earth of its natural resources. On the other hand, recycling drastically cuts down the volume of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide gases and their release into the air assists in lowering air pollution levels.
Coming back home, scrap steel things at your home or office pose a threat to your family and you. The reason is simple. Electronics and appliances also contain metal alloys. When they oxidize or rust, they release toxins into the air, soil and water in their area. Secondly, rusted metals can pose a severe injury risk. And thirdly, scrap occupies lots of valuable area at your home or office.
When you sell scrap metal, you’re making some money that’s useful for cost savings or expenses. You’re also helping protect the environment giving scrap metal for recycling. Because what you sell is always recycled.
Metals that Sell as Scrap
Scrap iron is the most commonly traded metal in the world, according to the Observatory for Economic Complexity (OEC). It ranks as the 77th most widely exchanged commodity in the world.
However, copper is the most precious scrap metal worldwide and fetches a high price in every country. That’s because copper is very versatile, easy to recycle and has many uses such as making electric cables and components, arms and ammunition, utensils and also as an alloy in platinum and gold jewelry.
Other than iron, which is also called ferrous scrap, and copper, you can also offer non-ferrous or non-iron metals, including aluminium, brass, stainless steel, commercial grade silver, and lead, among other people.
Mercury and radioactive metals can’t be sold as scrap, and there’re strict laws on their trade, due to their extremely hazardous nature and risks to peoples life also as high toxicity.
Finding Scrap Metals at Home and Workplace
Since a few metals qualify for sale as scrap, here’re some ways to find them at your home and workplace. You find them in the form of iron rods and iron bars lying unused in and around the garden or in the basement and garage.
Additionally, you can also sell scrap metals in the form of your refrigerator, air conditioner, stoves, water heaters, microwaves, washers and dryers, dishwashers, farm equipment, lawn mowers, junk cars of all types, copper wires, electric and other cables, car batteries, old and discarded pots, pans, hobs and cookers, yellow brass, catalytic converters, inverters and generators, insulated wires, radiators, antenna sets, metal furniture, prams and wheelchairs as well as old and discarded metal shutters and railings, to name a few.
Old wall hangings, statues and photo frames, curtain rods and ceiling fans can also offer as scrap if they’re made of steel. Additionally, discarded aluminium cans of food, beer and soft drinks, metal sheets, vehicle wheels and rims, lead, big batteries and other items can also be offered as scrap. Old and rusted iron or metal cupboards, closets, vaults, worthless locks and tips also qualify as scrap metal.
Getting Ready to Sell Metal Scrap
As you can see from my above list and descriptions, finding items that contain scrap metal is quite simple and fast. Just look around home, and you will clearly find plenty of scrap steel.
There’re a few steps that are necessary if you want getting the greatest rates for your steel scrap. This means you have getting prepared to offer metal scrap.
Collect All Scrap
The first and simplest step is to collect all the metal scrap that you wish to sell and store it in a solitary place. This are very difficult if you have actually lots of metal scrap. Use your garage or a temporary shelter for such stuff. A destination where you can display all metal scrap is crucial because potential buyers would love to see the condition and other details of the stuff you’re selling.
Sort by Metals
The second step is to sort out the scrap according to the metal. Set aside all scrap of iron on one side and aluminium, copper and other metals on the other. That’s because you will most likely find more scrap iron than any other metal. Copper fetches the highest cost, so ensure that you store its safely. The quantity of copper might maybe not be much. Yet, it is most readily useful to store it properly because copper oxidizes quite fast and changes color. Removing synthetic or rubber coating on copper wires can help you get a better price in the scrap market.
Check Market Prices
There’re several methods to check the costs that you can get for selling various types of metal scrap. The first and best way is to call a nearby scrap dealer or get an online estimate. There’re several companies and scrapyards nearby that will be happy to give you the going price for any offered day. The cost of scrap metal depends on the need for any specific metal and the supply available in the US. Since the US is one of the largest exporters of metal scrap, international prices decide the prices of exactly what you sell.
