How to Recycle Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal

If you are interested in contributing to the preservation of our Earth’s natural resources, all you have to do is start recycling! Many materials can be recycled, including plastic and paper; but one of the most important elements to repurpose is metal. All metal fits into one of two categories: ferrous and nonferrous. Regardless of your metal commodities, they can both be recycled and reused, over and over again.

Continue reading to learn more about ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including how to recycle them!

Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700

Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700


Ferrous metals are metals such as steel and iron. This includes scrap metal from cars, food cans, appliances, and more. This type of scrap metal is always high in demand, and continues to grow exponentially each year. Nonferrous scrap metal is made from the waste of metals like aluminum, copper, brass, lead, titanium, nickel, and more.

How to Tell the Difference

In order to distinguish ferrous from non-ferrous metals is to perform a manual test. To perform this test, all you need is a strong magnet. You see, as mentioned, ferrous metals retain magnetic qualities, and non-ferrous metals do not. So if a magnet sticks to your metal, it contains iron, which also means it is ferrous metal. If the magnet does not attract, the metal does not contain iron, which means it is non-ferrous.

Ferrous Metals:

Stainless Steel
Iron
Carbon Steel
Mild Steel
Cast/Wrought Iron
Iron

Non-Ferrous Metals:

Copper
Aluminum
Brass
Lead
Tin
Titanium
Zinc
Nickel

Non-Ferrous Precious Metals:

Gold
Silver
Platinum

Exotic Non-Ferrous Precious Metals:

Cobalt
Bismuth
Beryllium
Zirconium
Cadmium
Mercury
Tungsten

How to Recycle Metal in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle metal in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not only has Zore’s Inc. been a family owned and operated company for over 75 years, we pay cash on the spot for your metal commodities. We accept cans, sheet metal, appliances, vehicles, auto parts, equipment, and more! Request a free estimate, today.

How to Perform a Ferrous Metal Test

When you are dealing with metal, whether for recycling or construction purposes, you may come across a time that requires you to know how to separate ferrous metal from non-ferrous metal. Fortunately, this test is easy to do, and can be done on the spot virtually anywhere.

Continue reading to learn the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal, and how to perform a quick test to distinguish between them.

Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700

We Buy Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap Metal! 317-244-0700

Ferrous Metal

Ferrous metal is any metal that contains traces of iron.

Ferrous metals are heavier, less malleable, and contain magnetic properties. Also, they are more vulnerable to rust. If you see rust, the metal is definitely a ferrous one. Ferrous metal is commonly used to manufacture or construct commodities that can resist corrosion and remain strong and stable, such as industrial containers, rail roads, farming equipment, automotive parts, motors, drill bits, electrical appliances, power tools, and more. Common examples of ferrous metals include carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, wrought iron, mild steel, and any other forms of steel and iron.

Non-Ferrous Metal

Non-ferrous metal is any metal that does not contain iron.

Non-ferrous metals are lighter and more malleable than ferrous metals. These qualities make them a common manufacturing material for industries that have weight restrictions, but require strength, such as aviation or food canning. Non-ferrous metals also have a high resistance to rust and corrosion. As a result, nonferrous metal is widely used in the production of house gutters, road signs, roofs, piping, and more. Metals like copper, nickel, aluminum, brass, lead, tin, zinc, and more are all examples of nonferrous metals. Also, precious metals are iron-free; such as gold, chromium, tungsten, silver, zirconium, mercury, cobalt, bismuth, cadmium, beryllium, and more.

The Ferrous Test:

In order to distinguish ferrous from non-ferrous metals is to perform a manual test. To perform this test, all you need is a strong magnet. You see, as mentioned, ferrous metals retain magnetic qualities, and non-ferrous metals do not. So if a magnet sticks to your metal, it contains iron, which also means it is ferrous metal. If the magnet does not attract, the metal does not contain iron, which means it is non-ferrous.

Where to Recycle Metal in Indy

Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Call Zore’s Recycling division at 317-244-0700 to recycle metal in Indianapolis, Indiana for cash. We have been a family owned and operated company for over 75 years, and continue to make customer satisfaction our number one goal in our metal recycling division. And to make recycling easier for you, we offer several customer conveniences at no extra charge! Request a free estimate, today.