3 Insights About Scrap Metal Recycling that New Entrants Must Know

The art and science of scrap metal recycling has been in existence for centuries and will not stop anytime soon. The sector helps millions of people to make a living through segregation, recycling, and production of finished products. If you are considering entry into this business, you need to understand the whole supply chain of the scrap metal recycling industry. For example, you should know where to find the scrap metal, the logistics of transporting it, and how to prepare the metal for manufacturing. This article gives new entrants in the scrap metal recycling industry some useful facts to keep them ahead of the game.

Collecting — The most critical aspect in metal recycling is collecting appliances and items that are made of metal such as old bicycles, metal piping, old vehicles, and cookware. You will find these items in homes or junk yards where previous owners have disposed them. However, check your local regulations regarding banned substances such as lead, which is hazardous to human health and the environment. You can also opt to buy these materials from individual collectors.

Green Revolution — Have you ever pictured a world where scrap metal recycling was not possible? We would have tonnes of obsolete metal piling up in homes, cities, and the countryside. This picture would be similar to a scene in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic movie. Recycling enables the transformation of this huge 'junk' into valuable products and raw materials. More resources such as fuel and land would be made available in the presence of scrap metal recycling. Scrap metal recycling helps you contribute to environmental preservation through control of carbon emission

Adequate Storage — As you get into the recycling business, you need to run a tight ship with efficient mechanisms in place. After collecting scrap metal, you would need space for storing the materials temporarily before taking them to a recycling facility. Some states have restrictions on the number of days or trips you can make to such a facility in a single week. Therefore, you can consider leasing or renting some space for separation and storage purposes. Separating materials from appliances enables you to gain more profits by selling them independently. For example, you can install an industrial magnet in this space, which is capable of attracting ferrous scrap metal such as iron and steel. Ferrous materials are pricier compared to their nonferrous counterparts such as aluminum and bronze.


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