Recycling Scrap Metal Can Benefit Everyone

Summer is coming to an end and you still have some junk to get rid of. But what about the scrap metal items?

[This post has been revised and updated from a previous post published in 2016]

Getting rid of metal items can be a problem, especially if the things don't fit in your municipal trash bin. And recycling the things can be a challenge if you don't know how to go about it or where to take them. In fact, the recycling of scrap metal is often a much more difficult and even a bit more dangerous task than one might think. 

While everyone knows you can recycle aluminum cans, many people still don't realize they can recycle all those junk metal items they need to dispose of, too. And the municipal disposal services are often not much help in this regard. Unlike paper, glass and aluminum cans, the information around scrap metal recycling is not easy to come by.

A recent survey by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), noted that more than 100 million Americans adults are not clear on what can and cannot be recycled, or even where to find information about the recycling process. That's almost 50 percent of the adult U.S. population.

But did you know that a great deal of the junk that doesn't seem to be reusable actually is. And when it comes to your scrap metal items, recycling them is often the best disposal solution.

Scrap Metal Recycling is on the Rise

In a recent article by the Construction Equipment Guide, it was noted that scrap metal prices began to increase for the first time in roughly five years. This began noticeably just after the presidential election in November 2016 and marks a positive turn for the scrap recycling industry. In fact, after a five years of dropping prices for metals, some scrap metal companies had to close or sell their businesses.

This downturn had a real impact on the recycling industry as a whole, and scrap metals in particular. It also had a significant impact on the environment and economy of the U.S. Part of the reason is that there are enough scrap metal materials that could be recycled to meet the production needs of most manufacturers.

Typically in the U.S. we can recycle enough steel to make cars, enough aluminum to make soda cans, and other metal products for building construction.

However, when not enough people contribute to the recycling stream, much of this potential material is lost. Yet, scrap metal is such a great candidate for recycling.

Scrap Metal Recycling in the U.S.

Scrap metals are classified as either ferrous, including iron and steel, or non-ferrous, such as copper and aluminum. While copper remain one of the metals demanding the highest prices, ferrous metals make up the bulk of scrap metal being recycled.

Exporting recovered and recycled scrap metals, especially ferrous metals, is a major industry for the U.S. According to the US Census Bureau and International Trade Commission (ITC), the cumulative steel scrap export volume for 2016 totaled over 11.5 million tons.

The changes in market prices, as for many industries, determine the profitability and sustainability of individual players.

Non-ferrous prices vary by metal. Aluminum and zinc prices increased by about 11 percent and 60 percent respectively, and copper by about 14 percent. However, copper prices stayed fairly flat for much of 2016 until mid-November.

According to Joe Pickard, chief economist and director of commodities of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.,

“Just after the presidential election, copper prices went up 20 percent just in one week. I think a lot of the reason for that was expectations for increased infrastructure in U.S., and some of the other policy ideas debated during the election.”

Pickard also noted that the scrap metal industry is in a restructuring phase and, while that makes predicting the future a little more difficult, he said that generally the picture looks good.

The Best Option for Your Scrap Metals is Recycling

Calling a professional junk hauling firm when you need scrap metal pick up is your best option to safely and cost-efficiently remove your scrap metal. And using an eco-friendly company will help ensure that as much of your scrap metal as possible is recycled.

If you try to haul scrap metal in your own vehicle you risk damaging your vehicle in the process. And, if you have to make multiple trips back and forth from a metal recycling site, the whole process also becomes more costly and less energy-efficient. This is assuming you actually have scrap metal items that can fit in your vehicle!

In addition, there are the very real risks of handling metal debris.

Junk King can collect and deposit your scrap metal at a local recycling facility. We operate a fleet that includes many bio-fuel vehicles and your metal debris will become new recycled material with the most environmentally friendly methods.

Junk King recycles more than other junk removal companies. Contact us to schedule an appointment for scrap metal recycling and we will pick up any amount and variety of metal from your home, business, or construction site.

Our scrap metal recycling is available for any need:

• Iron, steel, copper, aluminum, brass and more
• Beams, wires, and other construction metal debris
• Plumbing fixtures and other DIY home renovation debris
• Any unwanted metal junk
• Scrap Metal Recycling from the Green Junk Haulers

We are fully insured to protect you against any risk. We safely carry the metal debris off your property and load it into our large, heavy-duty trucks. From pick-up to transport, Junk King's scrap metal recycling service takes a major burden off your hands.

Schedule Your Scrap Metal Removal

Make the call and relax! With Junk King, you only need to point us in the direction of the debris. Our friendly, uniformed staff will take it from there. We provide upfront pricing when we arrive.

Schedule an appointment to get a free, no-obligation quote before we begin to work. Call Junk King  today at 888.888.JUNK (5865) or book online!