Electronic Recycling
The average consumer has certainly heard of the benefits of gaining cash for electronic scrap recycling. Growing up, there was always someone in the neighborhood or at school who collected cans and scrap metals on the side for extra profits. Aluminum and copper are well known for their high return value when distributed to the local recycling plant. However, there are other aspects to the art of profitable recycling with which many are unaware.
Numerous materials that the average consumer had no idea could yield exchange value can fill up his pockets with plenty of profit. Standard recyclable materials include:
- Aluminum cans
- Copper
- Industrial Metals
- Stainless Steel
Aluminum
Aluminum is a highly profitable scrap material for which the consumer can earn cash for electronic scrap. It is estimated that aluminum can be recycled on average for seventy eight cents per pound, as of October 2020. Additionally, when returned to a recycling center the consumer can generally expect to receive anywhere from twenty five to fifty percent of this amount back to his wallet. Aluminum is one of the less lucrative materials to recycle and this is because the material is more prevalent than other metals. If the consumer’s goal in recycling is to gain cash for electronic scrap, they are best advised to look elsewhere beyond aluminum such as copper or even brass. Therefore, the demand for the metal is not as high as it is for rarer metals such as copper or zinc.
Copper
Copper is a highly valuable recyclable material. It can be found most commonly as coils in recycled air conditioning units. Additionally, copper may be found in various car parts and in recycled electronics, such as computers. Electronic recycling services greatly appreciate copper contributions. The material is considered the most capable metal of conducting electricity aside from silver and this accounts for much of its high price point. Additionally, it is fairly rare. Because of this, there is a high demand for the material copper, which sends its price point soaring. Electronic recycling services find this is by far one of the best metals to earn cash for electronic scrap.
Interestingly enough the name copper derives from the name for the island of Cypress, where the Romans once mined for their copper sources. The metal also retains value because it takes little energy to process back into reusable material. About eighty five to ninety percent energy is saved when recycling copper. Highly covetable as a metal resource, much copper is processed for recycling. In the United States alone in 2014 about 820,000 pounds of copper was processed.
Copper can be found in plumbing tubes, appliances, building wire, and builders’ hardware. Electronic recycling services advise finding this material in dishwashers, dehumidifiers, dryers, and ranges. Harvesting copper recycled from these sources can help the consumer to obtain cash for electronic scrap.
Industrial Metals
Miscellaneous industrial metals can also be recycled to earn cash for electronic scrap through local electronic recycling services. Metals besides copper and aluminum include brass and stainless steel. Brass is fairly popular as a recyclable material. It is found most commonly in household hardware.
Brass is actually what is known as an alloy. An alloy is a combination of two different metal elements. Brass in particular happens to be a combination of copper, zinc, and other metals. It is very common in household appliances and hardware. When recycled, brass is made from one hundred percent brass scrap. Because it is so easy to find, it is not necessary to manufacture new brass in the United States. Electronic recycling services manufacture brass from previously recycled brass only. The material is already readily available. However, because the material is so readily available it is also fairly low in monetary value.
The metal conducts electricity fairly well, though needless to say it does not do so as well as does copper alone. Brass has a very low melting point. Brass melts at about 1,650 to 1,720 °F. This means that it is fairly easily converted into new material once it reaches the recycling plant. Brass can be found in doorknobs, locks, gears, and hinges. It is resistant to corrosion and, therefore, is often used for outdoor metal applications such as in sheds or outdoor doorknobs. Because it is so readily available, it is a good option when the consumer needs to earn cash for electronic scrap.
Brass is also popular in the fashioning of costume jewelry and fashion accessories. Because brass is highly malleable, it is also often used to fashion musical instruments. Electronic recycling services also advise to find brass in musical instruments. Saxophone, clarinet, and other wind instruments are often composed of brass. All of these materials can be brought to a local electronic recycling services facility in order to earn profit on the cost of the metals.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is very frequently found in electronic scraps. Stainless steel can be found in the casings of computers and other components of electronics. Many electronic recycling services greatly appreciate consumers contributing stainless steel to the plant as it is in high demand. It is yet another option for when one desires to earn cash for electronic scrap. Electronic recycling services find that the metal is commonly used in household appliances such as dishwashers, ranges, and dryers. It is also used on occasion in wiring for the electricity.
The two major types of stainless steel are 304 and 316. By recycling stainless steel, the consumer can easily earn himself cash for electronic scrap. 304 stainless steel is most commonly found in kitchen hardware, exhaust systems of machines, and in machinery itself. Stainless steel holds up well to heat so it is used commonly in the exhaust systems of cars, for both diesel and gasoline engines. It is also used in exhaust systems for planes and large semi-truck vehicles, as observed by electronic recycling services employees. The composition of this type of stainless steel is a mixture of chromium and nickel. Additionally, the metal is often found in medical equipment.
316 stainless steel is a completely different beast than 304 stainless steel. This type of stainless steel is actually a combination of chromium and nickel, as well, but with the added component of molybdenum. It is found in welding materials used at construction sites and in the processing of large machinery. Many people actually mistake this type of stainless steel for aluminum because of how similar the metals are in appearance. Just like aluminum, it is often non-magnetic so before attempting to earn cash for electronic scrap of this metal it is important to make sure that it is identified properly as stainless steel 316, rather than plain aluminum.
Personal Benefits to Recycling Scrap Metal
The benefits of recycling scrap metal on a personal level are numerous. First of all, the process of IL recycling is lucrative. The individual can gain extra profits through salvaging scrap metals from scrap yards, construction sites, thrift stores, and demolition sites. When the individual brings these scraps to metal scrapping facilities, he or she can earn extra change to be saved up in the savings account or spent on a particular indulgence of his or her choice. However, the real benefit of recycling scrap metals from electronics is not in personal financial gain. Only minimal profits can be seen from this practice. The real gain of IL recycling scrap metals at the scrap recycling yard is one of environmental concern.
Environmental Benefits to Recycling Scrap Metal
Recycling scrap metals is an important practice for any individual who is concerned with sustainability and the well being of the environment as a whole. The electronics industry produces about fifty million tons of e waste per year and the numbers are only climbing. Since the tech boom first occurred in the early 1990s, the electronics industry has been burgeoning with wasteful tendencies. This waste that is produced is often shipped to impoverished countries in Asia or Africa who cannot afford to lobby against the practice.
Electronic recycling services remind the public that e-waste consists of scrap metals from used computers, components of trash household appliances, and byproducts of manufacturing electronics from the factory. From microwaves to dishwashers to treadmills to laptops to air conditioning units, tons and countless tons of electronic waste is produced every year just to keep the everyday modern household functioning in tip top shape. It is beyond necessary to consider the impact that such a lifestyle has upon the earth and practice responsible scrap metal recycling accordingly.
Besides the serious implications of electronic scrap metal production, the practice of recycling scrap metals can be lots of fun. Recycling scrap metals can involve trips to the scrap yard, adventures at the scrap car lot, and even networking with friends and neighbors to ensure that all tossed household machinery is properly disposed of at the recycling plant.
Where to Find Electronic Scrap Metal
This brings us to the topic of where to find electronic scrap metal. Certainly the average consumers can hold themselves responsible for the fun task of IL recycling. When a consumer updates their laptop or PC to a new, more modern model they can make sure to bring the older model to the scrap metal yard instead of to the dumpster. When it comes time to replace the household dishwasher, washer, dryer, microwave, oven, stove, faucet fixtures, doorknobs, lamps, heaters, air conditioners, or exercise equipment, the consumer can make wise choices to recycle instead of waste the metal appliance components. When it is time to change out the household ceiling fan, bed frame, metal furniture, sink, electrical wiring, plumbing pipes, or plumbing fixtures, the consumer can make sure they drop them off at the local metal scrap yard instead of in the trash can. However, the consumer can also go beyond their own personal practices to encourage IL recycling in the community.
Any individual who feels so inclined, out of recreation or the joy of environmental responsibility, can venture out to local scrap yards to find metals suitable for il recycling. The consumer can keep in close contact with neighbors, friends, and family for alerts of when they may be disposing of metal scrap material. There are many electronic recycling services available in every community and major municipality.
Electronic recycling services are vital in order to maintain a community that prioritizes environmental sustainability and stewardship. People may take it upon themselves to recycle this material as a hobby or as an environmental steward. Additionally, there are many scrap metal materials to be found during the community’s bulk pick up day organized by the local waste municipalities. Bulk pick up days abound with items that contain copper, stainless steel, and brass, as well. The consumer can make a trip to the local car part yard. Scrap cars often contain the highly valuable copper component in elements such as the air conditioning system. The consumer can also contact local plumbing companies, electrical installation companies, and electronics manufacturers. When upgrading to a new smartphone or tablet, the consumer can make sure to recycle the phone instead of tossing it in the garbage. There are countless ways to ensure that electronic scrap metals are disposed of properly and in a way that benefits the global environment.
How to Go About Recycling Electronic Scrap Metal
Once the consumer has acquired electronic scrap metal through personal use, networking with friends, family, and neighbors, and contacting local businesses, he can begin to coordinate transporting the metals to a recycling facility. One method of doing so is a simple google or yahoo search for “scrap metal recycling” in the specific area of the consumer’s domicile. If this does not bring up the proper results, the consumer can narrow the search down by which metal or metals he plans on recycling after having completed his collection efforts.
The yellow pages always have listings for scrap metal recycling yards, as well. The consumer can make phone calls to each yard if necessary in order to determine which plant offers the highest rates for scrap metal recycling. He can also listen to the plant’s phone representative to find out if the plant is offering any special promotions that day, week, or month for recycling particular types of scrap metals.
There are many electronic recycling services in every major metropolitan area, and also in rural areas, too. Electronic recycling services are seen as necessary resources for thriving communities and as such stay open normal business hours to provide for the community.