Did you know that silver plated items could be effectively recycled? As you look around your home, are you overwhelmed with the number of things that you have accumulated, and are you looking for ways to minimize and declutter your space? Are you looking to find new ways to recycle, and wouldn’t mind making a little money off of it? Considering your silver plated items for recycling might be an effective way to meet your goals and make a fresh start.
What are silver plated items?
What items in your home are silver plated, and how would you know? Many items particularly in the 1800s and early 1900s were silver plated, so some of the antiques that you may have laying around could potentially be covered in silver plating. Silver plated items for recycling can also be frequently found going for cheap at yard sales, thrift stores, estate sales, and swap meets.
Antiques, in particular, are often items that are covered in silver plate. In recent years, as tastes have changed, some antiques are no longer as popular as they once were. Items that were once considered heirlooms are now often seen as burdensome. Silver plate was frequently used in decorative items that are no longer considered stylish. Many people have leaned into a more minimalist style, are doing less formal dining and formal dressing, and as a result silver plate production has waned as its popularity has decreased.
What is silver plate?
Though it may sound like silver plate must be a derivative of silver, it actually comes from either a copper alloy base or a nickel alloy base, depending on the type. Since both nickel and copper prices have been on the rise, silver plate items have become more valuable in recent years. So despite the name, the price of silver plate has nothing to do with the price of silver.
Silver plating, also called silver electroplating, refers to the process used to create it. Thin amounts of silver are placed on top of a carrier metal, the nickel or copper. It was innovated in the 1800s as a cheaper way to achieve the look of silver without the cost. So when these items are being recycled, it is the going price rate for copper or nickel that really matters. The current rates of the metal markets fluctuate, but with a little research you can easily find out the possible price outcomes on your silver plated items for recycling.
Silver plating was common and popular for quite some time, so there plenty of items to be found when you’re looking for silver plated items for recycling. It might take a little digging or hunting: perhaps consider it a treasure hunt so that you can really enjoy the process.
Kinds of Silver Plated Items for Recycling
You might not think you have seen many silver plated items for recycling recently, but after reviewing the list below, you might realize that you have more than you think. Silver plated items for recycling may include but are not limited to:
- Tableware or cutlery such as knives, forks, spoons
- Serving ware and bar ware: Teapots, pitchers, tea services, butter dishes, tongs, punch bowls, platters, trays, salt and pepper shakers
- Napkin rings
- Jewelry boxes
- Frames
- Ornaments
- Candlesticks and candelabras
- Cigarette cases
- Ornamental knives
- Jewelry: Rings, necklaces, brooches, pendants, earrings.
- Tie pins
- Watch or wallet chains
- Money clips
As you can see, there are an abundance of possible items that could be silver plated items for recycling.
How does the recycling process work?
A trained professional specializing in metals or antiquities should be able to identify silver plated items for recycling. You can also take it to a place that specializes in scrap metal recycling to learn more about what you have and what the value may be. One simple way to check if your item is silver plated on your own is to hold a magnet to any silver toned item — if a magnet does stick to it, then it is likely not silver but silver plated.
The buyers will offer an amount to you based on what you bring in and the current metal market rates. Remember, you can always opt to say ‘no’ and leave with your items still in hand. This is a low pressure situation, so don’t be intimidated.
Once your silver plated items for recycling have been turned in, they will be cleaned and visually inspected, then melted down and repurposed. In their next life, nickel-based products might be used in aerospace or chemical industry materials. Copper is frequently used in wires and a number of other highly useful materials, since copper is conductive for electrical uses.
Copper and nickel are indispensable metals in the industrial world. The usefulness of repurposing these materials cannot be overstated. Metal recycling is a key way in which nations can be self-sufficient by sourcing their own metal from within. It is reported that almost half of the copper bought and sold in the United States each year is recycled copper. This prevents unnecessary mining for new metals and prevents the nation from having to import these goods. It is small initiatives like this that make a big difference in keeping a nation’s economy flowing, self-sufficient, and productive.
Why should I consider my silver plated items for recycling?
There are many reasons to consider rounding up your silver plated items for recycling. In this post we’ll consider how offering your silver plated items for recycling might be the right move for you as you either look to upgrade or downsize your possessions. Reasons to consider include but are not limited to:
- Generating income
- Cleaning out clutter
- Living sustainably
Let’s take a closer look at why each of these reasons is valid and important in your consideration of turning in silver plated items for recycling.
Generating Income
Those silver plated items lying around your home might be the cash source you hadn’t considered yet. Nickel and copper (the base metals) have value, and recycling programs and scrap metal recycling programs will pay you typically by the ounce for your valuables. Better yet, you can request a quote before you agree to anything.
Specialists will assess your silver plated items for recycling, and you will be paid based upon various factors including the weight of your precious metal and the current metal prices.
Cleaning out Clutter
According to the New York Times, clutter around the house can be related to chronic stress issues. Not being able to find the things you need because you’re surrounded by extra things that are in your way is tough on the psyche. It can lead to feeling stressed and overwhelmed in your own home.
Decluttering is a great way to start fresh and reduce the weight of psychological burden that can come with having too many things to manage or clean.
Consider taking all of the items in your home that are in your way and making three piles: A pile of things to keep, a pile of things to throw away, and a pile of things to donate or recycle. This is a great way to start making decisions about what matters to you.
The motivating factor of donating or recycling is that you know your items may go on to serve a purpose for someone else in need. Items that are recycled will have a second life. You may find that the process is easier than you think and that you’ve been able to lighten your mental load simply by letting a few worldly things go. You also won’t be as worried about passing along the burden of numerous belongings to loved ones as you age.
There are lots of programs in place for recycling, but you may not be aware of the options that exist related to silver plated items for recycling. You may have inherited or collected numerous silver plated items over the years and while they can be beautiful, they can also collect dust and crowd shelves. Consider them for recycling when you next get the urge to declutter and you might find that there are numerous items that you can happily part with when you know that they are being effectively recycled.
Living Sustainably
Rather than allowing your items to go to waste, recycling them is a chance for them to have new purpose and life. The world’s landfills continue to fill at an alarming rate, often with household goods that could have potentially been recycled and/or reused.
Make recycling a consideration for any item that might be made of quality materials. This will ease your burden when it comes time to get rid of possessions, knowing that at least your items will have a chance to serve another purpose rather than just wasting away.
Many of us are looking for ways to lead a greener lifestyle, but don’t know where to start. Getting interested in metal recycling is an easy to way to be more environmentally responsible without having to change your way of life. Some even consider metal recycling a hobby, and it is certainly one you can feel good about.
Recycling as many things as possible at readily available recycling or scrap metal programs in your area is an easy way to live more sustainably. It prevents unnecessary future mining for metals and keeps the recycling business busy and profitable. Putting up your silver plated items for recycling is a great way to ensure that you’re doing what you can for the planet in a small and easy way.
What if I want to get into scrap metal recycling. Where can I find silver plated items for recycling?
The easiest place to start is the household. As we’ve discussed, many homes may be full of silver plated items for recycling without even realizing it. Perhaps your elderly relatives are looking to downsize or simplify their lives by clearing out decades worth of belongings or antiquities. Even though their materials might not seem as useful for modern life, they could potentially be great candidates for recycling.
A great way to talk friends and family into considering their silver plated items for recycling is to mention the many benefits we have discussed here: you’ll be lightening your personal load of belongings, recycling, providing additional metal sources for your local economy, while turning a small profit. A win all around.
Outside of the home, it’s time to think creatively. This can be fun, and it’s where the treasure hunt really begins. There are many resources available for finding used goods: Consider estate and yard sales, garage sales, storage container sales, online marketplaces, flea markets, and swap meets. Thrift and salvage stores are also possibilities, as are neighborhood ‘buy nothing’ groups that can be found with a simple online search. You could even create your own posts in neighborhood website groups where you express your interest in accumulating these things from anyone interested in providing them.
How do I get started with turning in silver plated items for recycling?
The first step is to be interested in the process. By reading posts like this, you are well on your way. Next, find out what services exist for silver plated recycling in your area. Try calling or checking the websites of your local services to see what the going rate is for silver plated items for recycling. Assess the number of items that you have and figure out how you’ll safely package and transport them if need be. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and discuss the process with experts in the field, like CJD E-Cycling. You can reach out to us here if you have any questions about the types of scrap we accept.
Offering up your silver plated items for recycling is a no-brainer. You’ll feel good about cleaning things out and moving forward with fewer possessions, you’ll be helping the planet and your local economy, and you might even be lining your pocket. It’s something anyone of any age or skill level can get in to, and there’s no wrong way to do it. Consider gathering up your silver plated items for recycling when you have a chance. The environment and your wallet will thank you.