4 Mistakes to Avoid When Scrapping Metal for the First Time
If you have metal scrap lying around—whether it be from collecting tin cans or even stripping an old car—taking that scrap to your local metal recycling yard can be a great way to make some extra money. At the same time, you'll be helping the environment by having your unwanted metal scrap recycled into something useful.
If you've never scrapped metal before, however, there are some relatively common mistakes you'll want to be aware of so you can avoid them.
Leaving Valuable Wiring Behind
One of the worst mistakes you can make when scrapping metal for the first time is leaving behind potentially valuable wiring or other components. For example, if you're scrapping something that has copper wiring, you'll want to carefully remove this wiring ahead of time because it can be sold separately for a higher value than most other metals. This same concept also applies to aluminum wiring. Don't leave money on the table by leaving this behind!
Failing to Separate and Sort Your Scraps
If you're planning to recycle several different items at once, do your best to break them down and separate them by type of metal. This will not only ensure that you receive the best price for your scraps, but it will also save you and the scrap yard's technicians the time and hassle of sorting through your metals on-site.
Not Shopping Around for Current Prices
The prices for scrap metals can vary on a day-to-day basis, and not all scrap yards are always up-to-date on the most current pricing. This is why it's a good idea to call around to a few different scrap yards to ask for their current pricing on the exact metals you're looking to recycle. From there, you can choose the scrap yard that will yield you the most money for your items.
Overlooking Safety Precautions
Dealing with scrap metal can be dangerous, especially when it comes to handling items with sharp or jagged edges. When working with scrap metal, be sure to take some common-sense safety precautions to avoid injury. This includes wearing gloves and long sleeves/pants when working with scrap metal, as well as sticking with close-toed shoes.
Recycling scrap metal can be an excellent way to make some extra cash, but there are some mistakes you'll want to avoid to keep yourself safe and maximize your profits. Learn more about the process by contacting companies like TNT Auto Salvage.