How To Safely Collect and Recycle Scrap Brass Metal

Posted on March 30, 2023 by gardencity

Do you have some old brass metal lying around that you’re not sure what to do with? Don’t just throw it away! Brass is a valuable material that can be recycled and reused. In this post, we will go over the basics of how to collect and recycle brass metal. We will cover where to find scrap brass, tips for sorting through different types of brass, and where to take your collected scrap metal for recycling. With these steps, you can help reduce waste while getting money back in return!

So, let’s get started on our journey into learning how to collect and recycle brass metal.

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Types of Brass Metal

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Depending on the amount of each metal present in the mix, it can be divided into two types –yellow brass and red brass. Yellow brass is made from around 70% copper, while red brass contains a higher percentage of copper, usually more than 85 percent. Each type has its own unique properties, making them suitable for different tasks. For example, yellow brasses are known for their malleability, which makes them ideal for deep drawing and forming applications; whereas red brasses offer good strength and corrosion resistant properties at elevated temperatures, so they are suitable for use in hot water systems.

You Cannot Go Wrong With Recycling Brass

Brass is one of the most versatile materials in the world, used in everything from musical instruments to door handles and more. If you are looking to recycle brass, it can be a great way to reduce waste and help the environment. There are several different ways you can go about recycling brass, such as donating old instruments or scrap metals to businesses or organizations that collect them. Alternatively, you may be able to find drop-off programs near your area which collect items made out of brass for proper disposal. Regardless of what route you take when recycling brass, you can rest assured that taking part in this process will benefit both your surroundings and the environment.

Where to Find Scrap Brass

Scrap brass can be found all over. Start by checking your home, garage, and workshop for any old or unused items that have brass components. Think doorknobs, keys, lamp parts, tools, musical instruments, jewelry pieces –the possibilities are endless! Don’t forget to check thrift stores and secondhand shops too – you never know what treasures you may find there!

Tips for Sorting Through Different Types of Brass

Once you’ve collected your scrap brass pieces, it is important to sort them into different types of metal. For example, yellow brass contains zinc and copper while red brass has more copper than yellow. Knowing which type of brass that you have will help you get the best price when recycling. Also, be sure to check for any contaminants like dirt or rust that could decrease the value of your scrap metal.

Where to Take Your Collected Scrap Metal for Recycling

Now that you’ve sorted through all of your scrap brass pieces, it’s time to take them to a metal recycling center. Many metal recyclers accept both ferrous and nonferrous metals for recycling but may require proof of ownership before accepting higher-end scrap. Additionally, some centers may offer cash payments or store credits in exchange for recycled metals so be sure to ask about these options when dropping off your brass!

Get Started With Brass Metal Recycling Today

Recycling brass is a great way to reduce waste, help the environment and even make some money in the process. Now that you know how to collect and recycle brass metal, why not start gathering those scraps today? With just a few simple steps, you can start helping save our planet one piece of scrap at a time!

Are you ready to drop your load of brass and other scrap metals for a payment of cash on the spot? Contact Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to speak with a professional scrap metal buyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We accept all scrap metal and metal commodities, including iron, steel, aluminum, brass, copper, and more. We also buy junk cars and pay in cash.

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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Can I Recycle Brass?

Posted on March 25, 2021 by gardencity

Metal recycling is a vital initiative for our planet. Not only does it help preserve our natural resources and reduce our need to mine for new ores, all of which also reduces air pollution produced by the metal refining process, but metal recycling also stimulates our economies, provides jobs, and teaches us the value of what we would otherwise consider junk. If you are interested in recycling metal, start with scrap metal around the house. All metal is 100% recyclable, including alloys like brass. We mention brass because many people are unaware that old brass items and objects can be recycled. You would be surprised to see just how much brass junk your house contains!

Continue reading to learn more about brass, and how to recycle metal in your community for cash on the spot.

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Facts About Brass

Brass is not a pure, naturally-occurring metal. It is an alloy, which means it is made from a combination of other metals and elements. Brass is mostly composed of zinc and copper, but can sometimes contain other elements, such as lead, depending on its intended application. Due to the varying content ratios of copper and zinc, there are several different kinds of brass.

Why We Use Brass

Brass retains a wide range of properties that makes it a useful commodity in our society. It is malleable, more so compared to other metals, especially bronze and zinc. This quality makes it ideal for casting, shaping, and designing. It also has a white-to-gold finish, making it ideal for art and decorative items. Brass also retains acoustical properties, which it why it is used to make musical instruments. Additionally, brass is a good conductor of heat, resistant to corrosion, and has a low melting point.

The most common applications for brass are the manufacturing of musical instruments like trumpets, trombones, horns, and saxophones, as well as radiators, plumbing pipes and tubing, water installation fittings, screws, ammo and gun cartridge casings, architectural trim and moldings, and art décor.

Brass is Not Bronze

Many people wrongly assume that brass and bronze are the same element, but they are actually different. Brass is made from copper and zinc, while bronze is primarily made from copper and tin, but sometimes contains other elements like aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, and manganese. Bronze is mostly used for art and decorative items, as well as mirrors, reflective materials, submerged parts, springs, electrical connectors, and ship fittings.

How to Recycle Brass in Indianapolis

Any local scrap metal recycling company will take your brass items. But if you want the best service and a little profit, choose Garden City Iron & Metal in Indianapolis, Indiana for all your scrap metal recycling needs. We pay cash on the spot for any and all metal, including brass, bronze, steel, iron, copper, and more!

Ready to see how much you can make from recycling scrap metal? Contact us at 1-888-586-5322 for an instant, over-the-phone quote for metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Should Read:

Do You Know What Makes Brass and Bronze Different From Each Other?
Facts About Zinc Metal
The Best Corrosion-Resistant Metals