There are numerous ways to earn extra money. Some people take on part-time jobs while others look for seasonal work during summers and holidays. One way is to find scrap metal and sell it. But where to find scrap metal can be a little tricky.
Here are some scrap metal finding tips.
As we said, an often overlooked option that can generate handsome dividends is selling scrap metal. A growing number of people are discovering the high demand for scrap metal that can be recycled and reused — a process that is particularly beneficial to the environment.
Simply put, scrap metal is valuable. And there are plenty of ways to find scrap metal for free that businesses and individuals no longer want or have a use for. A company like GLE Scrap Metal, which recycles these metals, can help you figure out what the scrap you’re selling is worth.
If this sounds appealing, here are some tips on where to find scrap metal in your city and neighborhood.
One Man’s Trash Can be Another Man’s Treasure
Wondering about the best places to find scrap metal in your town? Before you start hunting, it’s helpful to understand what the term scrap metal refers to and what kind of items you’ll want to look for while conducting your search.
Scrap metal is defined as recyclable materials left over from product manufacturing and consumption. This includes old vehicle parts, building supplies and surplus materials.
In more straightforward terms, scrap metal includes non-ferrous metals like aluminum, brass and stainless steel and ferrous metals like cast iron, steel chips, and unprepared iron.
Your own neighborhood and the surroundings can be a gold mine for free, unused scrap metal. One of the most popular scrap metal items to sell is copper and it can be found in everything from old toasters to Christmas tree lights.
If you notice someone in your community or city with old appliances at the edge of the yard for pick-up, in most cases you can feel free to grab it first. If you are unsure as to whether or not it’s trash, make sure to ask the owner first. The same is typically true for old appliances left abandoned on the highway – they’re usually free for the taking.
A little creative thinking can also help you to uncover many of the best places to find scrap metal. Chances are several businesses and organizations in your city would be happy to get rid of old parts and tools that pile up regularly.
Golf courses are often home to old, broken stainless steel golf clubs, ranches and riding schools typically have worn, unusable steel or aluminum horseshoes that need to be disposed of, and even gyms tend to have outdated fitness machines that can be recycled for metal parts.
Best Places to Find Scrap Metal: Under Your Nose
Have you been planning a yard sale?
Before you do, go through your items and see if any of them contain metal. Even items that no longer work that contain metal can be broken down for free scrap metal parts.
Where to find scrap metal for free:
- Washing machines
- Dryers
- Refrigerators (with top freezers)
- Ovens and ranges
- Full-size gas grills
- Cast iron bathtubs
- Old Wrought Iron Fencing
Remember too, when refurbishing your home or updating that instead of throwing away old faucets, pipes, and drains, you can recycle those unwanted items in the form of selling them for scrap metal.
Older metal fencing can also be a source of scrap metal. If you are getting rid of your old fence and installing a new one with a fence contractor, then you can potentially recycle your old fence parts depending on what metal it is constructed using.
Car parts that are no longer useable contain lots of metal, sometimes multiple metal types. You’ll want to make sure to recycle the little parts too like bolts, nuts, screws and other fasteners which can boost the weight of the metal you’re selling.
Get Cash and Go Green
Aside from the clear cash benefits you receive from recycling scrap metal, the impact metal recycling makes on the planet is even more beneficial. Mining metal ore, then refining it into usable metals is a process that simply isn’t sustainable.
The process of recycling scrap metal cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions which are produced during the processing operations used to make metal from virgin ore. And too, a considerable amount of energy can be saved when metal is recycled as opposed to mined.
Metal recycling also helps us conserve natural resources as metal processing is a resource heavy activity that requires the use of millions of tons of water each year.
There are plenty of places to find scrap metal for recycling, and GLE Scrap Metal is happy to help you every step of the way.
GLE Scrap Metal is a family-owned, premier scrap metal and electronics recycler. We proudly perform environmentally friendly processing and offer quality customer service, prompt pick-up for businesses and experienced staff.
We purchase, process and re-integrate all recyclable base metal that you bring to us.
Contact us today at 855-SCRAP-88 to request a quote.
