What You Need to Know About Metal Recycling Processes

Posted on August 25, 2023 by gardencity

Metal recycling is not only essential for our economy, but it’s also crucial for the environment. This process allows us to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and minimize waste in landfills. We often encounter scrap metal in our daily lives, from old vehicles to household appliances, and understanding the recycling process can help us make more informed decisions about waste disposal.

In this post, we will dive deep into the world of metal recycling, shedding light on the processes and procedures involved in transforming scrap metal back into useful materials. Stay with us as we journey through the life cycle of scrap metal.

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The Process of Metal Recycling

Identifying and Collecting Scrap Metal

The scrap metal recycling process begins with the collection of scrap metal. This is done by separating ferrous metals, like iron and steel, from non-ferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, brass, and lead. Ferrous metals are identified through a magnet that can attract them since these types of metals contain iron. Non-ferrous metals, on the other hand, are not attracted by a magnet and, therefore, can be easily identified. Once all scrap metal has been collected and sorted into its respective categories, it must be transported to a recycling center or facility for further processing.

Shredding And Sorting Scrap Metal

At the recycling center, the scrap metal is then prepared for further processing. This involves shredding it down into smaller pieces and then sorting them according to material type, such as aluminum, copper, steel, or iron. This helps separate out any contaminants that may have mixed in with the scrap metal during its collection.

Melting Down Scrap Metal

Once all contaminants have been removed and the scrap metal has been sorted by type, it is ready to be melted down. This process requires extreme temperatures that help break down the metals into a liquid state. Different metals require different melting points, so depending on what type of metal is being recycled, the temperature must be adjusted accordingly.

Refining The Metal

The next step in the metal recycling process is refining. This involves removing any remaining impurities to make sure that the recycled product is of the highest quality. Depending on what type of metal is being recycled, different chemicals might be used to refine it – these could include zinc chloride, hydrochloric acid, or chlorine gas.

Final Processing

The final step in the recycling process is final processing. This involves molding, casting, or extruding the melted metal into whatever shape or size is needed. In some cases, this could involve rolling out sheets of metal for use in construction projects. The recycled material is then ready to be used again in products or machinery.

The Benefits of Recycling Metal

Recycling metal not only helps to preserve the environment, but it also offers a number of economic benefits. By reducing the need to extract and process raw materials, recycling metal can help businesses save money by reducing their overall production costs. Additionally, there are many kinds of metal that can be recycled over and over again without any loss in quality. This makes it an important resource for many industries and a great way to reduce our collective impact on the environment.

Metal recycling is an essential part of keeping our planet healthy. By understanding the process, we can all make more informed decisions about how best to dispose of scrap metal responsibly and with minimal harm to the environment. Keep these steps in mind and remember that even the smallest actions can have a huge positive impact!

Recycling Metal in Indianapolis is Easier Than You Think

Recycling metal is easier than you might think. There are numerous scrap metal recycling companies in Indiana that specialize in scrap metal collection and recycling. All types of metals, from aluminum to copper, can be recycled. Additionally, many communities offer dedicated waste disposal facilities for collecting scrap metal and ensuring it is recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.

Conclusion

So, now you know the steps involved in metal recycling – from identifying and collecting scrap metal to refining it into usable materials. Keep these steps in mind as we all work together to reduce our collective environmental impact. Our planet will thank us for it! With metal recycling, we can help ensure that our planet remains healthy for many generations to come. Let’s do our part to make sure that valuable resources are not wasted and that we all take responsibility for our environment.

Are you looking for a Central Indiana scrap metal recycling center that pays cash on the spot? Just contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 for professional, EPA-regulated scrap metal recycling services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not only do we pay cash on the spot for all grades of scrap metal, but we pay out the highest offers around.

The Environmental Benefits of Recycling Aluminum Cans

Posted on June 7, 2023 by gardencity

Recycling aluminum cans is an easy and effective way to help the environment. By recycling just one aluminum can, you can save enough energy to power a television for three hours! The benefits of recycling go beyond saving energy; it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves natural resources, and helps create jobs in the recycling industry.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the environmental advantages of recycling aluminum cans. We’ll discuss how recycled materials are used in production processes as well as look at ways that individuals can start making a difference by participating in local aluminum can collection programs. Finally, we’ll highlight some success stories from communities that have successfully implemented large-scale aluminum can collection initiatives.

So, let’s get started exploring the many environmental benefits associated with recycling aluminum cans!

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The Ecological Benefits of Aluminum Can Recycling

Reduction of Energy Consumption Nationwide

One of the biggest advantages to recycling aluminum cans is that it reduces energy consumption. Aluminum production requires a lot of energy, and according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, producing recycled aluminum uses 95 percent less energy than producing new aluminum from raw materials. In addition to this energy savings, recycling also allows manufacturers to save on costs associated with procuring and processing raw materials – meaning that recycled aluminum can be produced at lower costs than virgin aluminum!

Management of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Recycling aluminum cans also helps keep greenhouse gas emissions in check by reducing the need for mining operations and transportation of materials used in production processes like smelting ore into metal. The EPA estimates that every ton of recycled aluminum prevents 10 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Finally, recycling aluminum cans conserves natural resources by reducing the need to mine new materials from the earth. Aluminum is a non-renewable resource, and it can take up to 500 years for recycled aluminum cans to be reprocessed into new ones. This means that every can recycled today helps preserve our planet’s limited resources for future generations.

How to Contribute to Aluminum Preservation in the U.S.

So how do individuals make an impact? The first step is to identify local aluminum can collection programs in your community or start one of your own! Many municipalities have implemented curbside pickup services for recyclables, so check with your city or town hall to see what options are available near you. Additionally, schools, churches and other organizations may hold periodic trash collection events that accept aluminum cans. Finally, there are many online resources available to help you find the closest recycling locations or start a local initiative of your own.

In recent years, some communities have made great strides in their aluminum can recycling efforts. In Los Angeles, for example, the Department of Water and Power’s Recycling Program successfully collected over 95 million cans in 2019 – setting a new record! And in Charlotte County, Florida, the Solid Waste Division recently launched an ambitious program to collect 1 million aluminum cans over a six-month period – achieving that goal two months ahead of schedule! These successes serve as inspiring examples of how individual and collective efforts can make a real difference when it comes to protecting our environment.

Get Started With Aluminum Recycling Today!

At the end of the day, there are many environmental benefits associated with recycling aluminum cans. From reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions to conserving natural resources, recycling aluminum cans is an easy and effective way for individuals to make a positive impact on our planet. So, take a look at what programs or initiatives are available in your area – or start one of your own! – and join the movement to help protect our environment for future generations.

If you’re looking to sell scrap aluminum cans and materials, it’s important to do your research to ensure you get the best possible price for your scrap metal. Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a professional scrap metal buyer about aluminum recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana. There is no end to the types of metals we buy – we take it all, regardless of age or condition!

5 Appliances That Contain the Most Scrap Aluminum

Posted on September 22, 2022 by gardencity

Procuring an older home or business space might require you to make some hefty renovations and replacements. Appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners are prime examples of common appliances that need to be replaced after so many years. If you are replacing a bunch of old or broken appliances in your home or business, be sure to recycle them for the valuable scrap aluminum inside.

Continue below to learn which appliances contain the most scrap aluminum metal, plus where to get the most cash for appliance recycling in Indianapolis.

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Best Appliances for Scrap Aluminum Recycling

Most Indianapolis scrap metal recycling companies accept any and all home and commercial appliances. However, aluminum is more valuable per pound than other metals found in general scrap materials. So, if you’re looking to make a good profit from scrap aluminum recycling, appliance recycling is the way to go. Although appliances generally contain a lot of steel, they are also designed with a notable quantity of aluminum constituents. Appliances that also contain plumbing parts offer copper scrap. This makes these appliances even more valuable, like refrigerators and dishwashing machines.

Get the Most Scrap Aluminum From These 5 Appliances:

Refrigerators

Refrigerators will need to be replaced after a certain amount of time. For those who just moved into a previously owned home, the urgency to replace appliances like refrigerators is even higher since everybody wants their very own, clean refrigerator. Refrigerators also break down, which might require them to be replaced. Some people also want to just update the refrigerators because modern technology today offers so many advanced amenities like touchscreens and energy efficient designs. Either way, if you have a refrigerator that you need to get rid of, recycle it for the notable scrap aluminum contents inside.

Air Conditioners

Like most appliances, air conditioners are prone to breaking down. Furthermore, air conditioners need to be replaced every 5 to 8 years. When you have an old air conditioner to get rid of, recycle it for the scrap aluminum metal parts on the interior and exterior of the unit.

Stoves

Whether gas or electric, stoves are the perfect appliance to recycle. Stoves contain a good amount of aluminum scrap metal. And since stoves tend to be heavier, they can generate a decent profit at a local scrapyard or metal recycling center.

Dishwashers

The motor inside of a dishwashing machine contains valuable aluminum scrap metal. Dishwashers also contain a good amount of sheet aluminum metal. Because dishwasher motors also contain copper, they are even more valuable in terms of appliances worthy of recycling.

Washing Machines

Like refrigerators and dishwashers, washing machines are a plumbed appliance, which means they contain both aluminum and copper. Old washing machines can be recycled at local metal scrapyard for high dollar amount. This goes for dryers to!

Are you ready to make an exciting profit from recycling old or broken appliances in Indiana? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a professional scrap metal buyer about appliance recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all scrap metal and metal commodities, regardless of age or condition.

Top 5 Metals to Source From Household Scrap

Posted on November 8, 2021 by gardencity

There are various benefits to metal recycling, which is why it is one of the most esteemed ecological initiatives across the world. All metal can be recycled, repurposed, and refurbished into new commodities. In fact, recycled metal has useful applications in countless industries, including automotive manufacturing, construction and building, and even mechanical engineering.

The best part about metal recycling is that you don’t even have to leave your own house! From the garage to the basement and everywhere in between, household scrap can be turned into valuable trade-ins at your local metal recycling center. Continue reading to learn the top five metals to source from your household scrap!

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Common Scrap Metals Found Right At Home

When you begin your search for scrap metal to recycle, don’t skip any square footage of your house. Scrap metal can be found in all sorts of places, including the garage, basement, attic, shed, kitchen, closets, and much more. Here’s a little guide to help you figure out where you can begin your search for recyclable metal at home:

❶ Stainless Steel

You probably don’t have to look very far to find stainless steel in your house. Refrigerators are one of the most common forms of stainless steel found in home or in an office, but other appliances commonly made with large amounts of stainless steel include washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashing machines, and microwaves. Other types of stainless steel scrap you may find around the house include old lighting elements, plumbing fixtures, and kitchen sinks.

❷ Aluminum

Scrap aluminum can be found in various forms all around the house. The most common type of aluminum scrap metal our food and soda cans. However, these cans can sometimes be made of tin other types of aluminum scrap include old fencing, aluminum siding, downspouts, gutters, and flat sheet metal roofing. If you have it, old aluminum cookware can be recycled too!

❸ Copper

Copper is 100% recyclable, and easily sourced in the average household scrap. Anything with a computer, which includes most electronics, will contain copper wiring, which is a valuable asset to any local Indianapolis metal recycling center. Additional sources of copper include plumbing fixtures, copper gutter systems, metal house to core, and construction materials.

❹ Brass

Brass looks a lot like copper and performs quite similarly too, but it is a completely different metal. Not to worry though, as brass and copper are both valuable metals that can be recycled. Around the house, look for scrap brass in the form of old plumbing fixtures, doorknobs, home décor, statuettes, trophies, and bed frames.

❺ Cast-Iron

If you have some old cast-iron skillets, they are a perfectly recyclable metal. Other forms of cast iron to look for around the house include cast-iron pots, fireplace pokers, radiators, boilers, and even in bathtubs. Plumbing pipes that are very old may also have cast iron components that can be recycled.

Are you looking for a local metal recycling center you can trust to pay you the most money for your household scrap? Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to recycle household scrap metal in Central and Southern Indiana for cash on the spot!

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The Various Grades of Aluminum Metal

Posted on January 14, 2021 by gardencity

There is a reason why aluminum is so widely used for both industrial and non-industrial applications. It comes in various grades, all of which retain their own unique and beneficial properties. Continue reading to learn which grades of aluminum are most popular, and where you can recycle your scrap aluminum for cash on the spot in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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Facts About Aluminum Alloy

Aluminum, or aluminum alloy, is a very popular and widely used metal in America. Products and commodities such as foil, eyeglasses, gutters, soda cans, pots and pans, bicycles, plumbing fixtures, patio furniture, window frames, door frames, car wheels, ladders, golf clubs, and even airplanes commonly retain aluminum and aluminum alloy components.

It is found on the periodic table with the symbol “Al” and atomic number 13. It has a silvery white finish, and mostly admired for its magnetic and ductile (good heat conductivity) properties. This makes aluminum a ferrous metal, meaning it contains iron. All of these attributes make it a well-suited match for kitchen back splashes, food preparation surfaces, factory processing equipment, metal roofing, paneling, siding, and more.

Top 9 Grades of Aluminum Alloys on the Market:

► Alloy 1100
► Alloy 2012
► Alloy 2014
► Alloy 2024
► Alloy 3003
► Alloy 5052
► Alloy 6061
► Alloy 6063
► Alloy 7075

Why You Should Always Recycle Your Aluminum Scrap

Did you know that the process of mining and producing aluminum takes more energy than any other metal? It’s true! The amount of energy used to produce just 4 cans of aluminum for soda is hypothetically equivalent to filling up a single soda can with pure gasoline. Similarly, recycling just 1 aluminum soda can saves enough electricity to run a laptop computer for 4 hours, or power your television for 1 hour! So you can see the importance of preserving this limited and vital natural resource.

Fortunately, all you have to do to responsibly recycle aluminum metal is contact a local and reputable Indianapolis Indiana metal recycling service to recycle your junk metal for cash on the spot! That’s right; recycling metal earns you instant cash!

Where to Recycle Metal in Indianapolis and Central Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to get paid cash for scrap metal in Central and Southern Indiana. Our Indianapolis metal recycling professionals pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and more. There is really no end to the metals we buy in Indiana. Request a free estimate for your scrap metal, today.

The 3 Easiest Metals to Recycle

Posted on March 26, 2020 by gardencity

If you are interested in joining the millions of Americans who recycle, on the best ways to start is with metal recycling. Continue reading to learn why, and which metals are the easiest for beginners!

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Scrap Metal Recycling Benefits Us All

Metal recycling is one of the most important enterprises in our world because it serves so many vital benefits. Not only does recycling metal preserve our natural resources, it also reduces the need for mining, which also reduces mining-related deaths and injuries. Furthermore, scrap metal recycling keeps our economies strong by stimulating business and providing jobs.

Value of Scrap Metal

Metal is 100% recyclable, and can be reprocessed over and over again to serve many purposes. From roofing and other building materials, to pavement, food packaging, furnishings, automobiles, airplanes, appliances, and more, the list of possibilities continues to grow each year. For this reason, it is highly sought-out by an industry known as scrap metal buyers.

That’s right; scrap metal recycling centers will pay people for their scrap metal, which gives you another reason why you should get started on your own stockpile! Scrap metal is usually evaluated by weight, which is applied to the type of metal and its particular market value. Scrappers use these three factors to generate an offer for sellers. These same factors will determine how much you earn for your own stockpile.

What to Recycle Around You

All metal is recyclable, and all commodities that contain it will be accepted by scrap metal recycling companies. The easiest metals to recycle are those that are most abundant and available to you. The top 3 include:

➾ Steel – Junk Cars, car parts, boats, watercrafts, golf carts, scooters, motorcycles, construction equipment, farming equipment, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, power tools, surgical tools, air ducts, chimney caps, roof cladding, doors, utensils, etc.

➾ Aluminum – Food cans, soda cans, pots and pans, bicycles, plumbing fixtures, patio furniture, window frames, door frames, car wheels, ladders, golf clubs, etc.

➾ Copper – Electronics, wiring, electrical equipment, computers, circuit boards, plumbing components, fixtures, pots and pans, brass objects, bronze objects, coins, etc.

Where to Recycle Metal in Indianapolis and Central Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to get paid cash for scrap metal in Central and Southern Indiana. Our Indianapolis metal recycling professionals pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and more. Request a free estimate for your scrap metal, today.