We have embraced recycling since the turn of the century, as reusing metals takes the pressure off the mining industry. As the years passed, recycling grabbed a bigger share of the global supply of various metals. Recycling is always at the forefront of our minds, with metal, paper, plastic and even green recycling, where material is effectively melted down and reused.
Here is a list of the top 5 metals that are recycled and reused by many industries.
Aluminium
This is a very popular material that is found in most things and your local scrap metal dealer would offer you a per kg price for any aluminium you wish to recycle. Old domestic appliances, beer cans and window frames are just some examples of scrap aluminium. Old ladders might be made of aluminium, while some furniture pieces also contain this metal. When the scrap dealer has an adequate amount of aluminium, they would deliver it to a recycling facility where it is melted down and recast as ingots. All scrap dealers have working relationships with several industrial recycling plants, which they feed as often as they can from both the business and domestic sectors.
Copper
Sydney scrap metal recyclers like Austick would probably put copper at the top of their most wanted list, mainly due to the high demand for this conductive metal and the fact that copper can be found in many appliances, machines and devices. A/C units contain a lot of copper and if you are renovating an old house, you would encounter copper water pipes, which can fetch a good price with a local scrap metal dealer. To find scrap metal recyclers in your area, especially those outside of Sydney, a quick online search should provide you a list of dealers who would pay you for your scrap metal.
Lead
Lead is also in big demand. If you have lead flashing on your roof that you wish to replace, this would be worth some cash. Although not as widely used as in the past, lead is still very much sought after. Car batteries are a good source of lead and if you have a few old batteries in your garage, call your local scrap metal dealer, who would offer you a good price to recycle them.
Stainless Steel
Old guttering or outdoor catering equipment might be made with stainless steel, as is ducting and some furniture. It is always best to remove other materials and clean the surface, as this might get you a slightly higher price. This applies to all metals; removing the outer coating of plastic on copper wire, for example, will see you get a higher price.
Brass
There is brass inside A/C units and older household appliances and just like other metals, it is best to pre-sort if possible. Brass is commonly found on old furniture and while it isn’t very often recycled with antique and vintage furniture, brass is found in some electrical devices.
If you would like to know the per kg price of any metal, search online for a local scrap metal dealer and they would be happy to collect your scrap and pay you in cash.
