How To Sort Your Scrap Metal

If you have been trying to collect scrap to sell on to dealers or it’s something you have been thinking about doing, you will need to ensure that you properly sort through the metal and keep each type together. This will make it easier for the dealer to weigh and pay you and it will also make it easier for you to know how much scrap you currently have for each type of metal.

First, you will need to get your hands onto six old bins or boxes that are of a considerable size. You should label them ‘aluminium’, ‘iron’, ‘stainless steel’, ‘car batteries’, ‘copper’ and ‘brass’ – make sure that these labels are clear and obvious. The scrap metals you find will fit into one of these bins.

Car batteries, contrary to popular belief, are 100% recyclable, and they have their own bin because the scrap metals do not need to be separated before sale – the dealers will pay you a lump sum per battery and do the separation themselves.

Ensure that you properly check each item of scrap before assigning it to a bin or cardboard box – scrap metal dealers have keen eyes and will immediately pick out items that you have forgotten or miss-binned. A quick way remember this is that dull silver is aluminium, magnetic shiny silver iron, and non-magnetic shiny silver is stainless steel. Copper and brass scrap is easy to spot, as it is red and gold in colour, respectively.

By sorting your scrap metals from the moment you collect them, you will save yourself a lot of time down the track. Not only will you be able to estimate how much your various scrap bins are worth at any given time, you will be loved by the scrap dealers who won’t have to do the sorting themselves.