There is money to be made in the scrap metal industry, especially when you know how to do it. McSteel Salvage & Clean Up is known for being an honest, reputable and fair scrap metal dealer who services Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories.
If you are new to the world of scrap metal recycling or are looking for tips on increasing your scrap metal payout, keep on reading.
Scrap Metal Grading System
Scrap metal grading is a universal language used between buyer and seller to assess the quality and condition of your materials. The grade determines the scrap’s value, processability and potential for reuse. The most common factors that influence metal grading are the type of metal, purity, size, shape, and possible contaminants.
The metal type is the most significant factor in determining the grade and value of a material, as well as the size and shape because smaller items are more difficult to recycle than large pieces. Purity refers to the percentage of the primary metal in the scrap material, which affects the recyclability of the metal. The grade will be lower for metals with contaminants such as paint, plastic, dirt, and oil.
Understanding the basics of scrap metal grading will set you up for success when communicating with a buyer to ensure you get the best possible price for your scrap. If you want to maximize your scrap metal’s value, it is worth the extra time to clean, separate and strip your scraps.
Know the Current Market Prices
After doing the extra work to sort, separate and prepare your scrap metal, the last thing you should do before visiting your local scrap metal recycler is check on the current market value of your scrap.
It’s important to know the value of your items because there are some shady dealers in the scrap metal market. Do your due diligence, learn the current market value and avoid getting ripped off by slimy scrap metal recyclers. Bring your scrap metal to a reputable recycler like McSteel Salvage & Clean Up.
Know Your Scrap Buyer
All scrap yards are slightly different from each other; at one yard, you might get a killer deal on copper wire but be quoted less than average for aluminum, and vice versa. The varying prices depend on who and where the seller sends the scrap metal after recycling it. For example, McSteel uses a foundry in Chicago to process ferrous metals like scrap steel and iron.
Accepted Materials
McSteel Salvage & Clean Up accepts all types of metal, whether retired, expired, or rusted. We have seen all sorts of items come into our scrap metal recycling yard like a still-operational tree delimber from the 70s pulled out of the bush or an ancient vehicle brought down from the north.
Materials we accept are aluminum (clean, dirty & mixed), copper, stainless steel, batteries, electric motors, railroad steel, H-beams, shred metal, and so on. McSteel also accepts oversized items like retired vehicles and farm equipment, oil field tanks, retired silos, etc.
Use McSteel for All Your Metal Recycling Needs
In short, McSteel Salvage & Clean Up is ready and prepared to tackle any metals you bring us. The best part about metal recycling is that you will not only walk away with cash in hand but can also feel good about doing your part in keeping the earth clean and green.
Ready to start scrapping? Contact us today to learn more about our metal recycling services.