Getting More Value For Your Non-ferrous Scrap Metals

Scrap metal recycling can be a good way to pick up a little extra cash these days

, while helping the environment and reducing the amount of material that goes into landfills. Knowing a few things about how scrap metal is graded will help you get the best prices.

Scrap metal is divided into several different categories: ferrous, non-ferrous, precious metals and several others. The two most common scrap metals that are recycled are ferrous and non-ferrous scrap. Ferrous scrap has an iron component to it and is identified by using a magnet to see if it sticks to it or not. If it sticks it's ferrous. Ferrous scrap is priced by per 100 weight or by gross tons.

Non-ferrous scrap metal does not stick to a magnet. It may pull a magnet but won't stick. Typically non-ferrous scrap is priced by the pound. It is also divided into various grades within each type of material with each grade having it own set price or value. Non-ferrous scrap metal can include all different types of copper tubing and insulated copper wires as well as aluminum siding and gutters, aluminum window frames and doors and aluminum wires. Among brasses there are plumbing fixtures and valves and ornamental brass such as plates and candle stick holders.

In the current non-ferrous scrap market environment it is important to acknowledge three fundamental factors. Value is up, demand is down and supply is limited. It is with these constraints that scrap dealers purchase your scrap material.

In order to get the best possible pricing for your scrap, sort it into its appropriate piles to the best of your ability. Remember the more time and effort you put into it the more you will get out of it. Separate aluminum, copper and brass and any other metals you have. Within those categories separate them into like piles as well.

Once you have separated your material, really look at it. What is the make up of each pile? Is there glass, wood or iron in your aluminum scrap metal? That will lower the grade and the price. Does your brass still have the iron handles on it, or does your copper have brass valves attached to it? These things also lower the price of your scrap.

Look at your material objectively when assessing the grade. Is most of the material free of contaminants? Could you raise the grade by removing screws and handles and other items? Remember, you can make #2 Copper out of #1 Copper but #2 Copper will never be #1 Copper.

by: Paul Fleming

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