4 Common Metals That are Easy to Recycle

The amount of metal used in our society is astronomical on a global scale. That is because metal is a highly-useful and beneficial commodity that can be applied in infinite industries, from automotive manufacturing and construction, to food service, plumbing, electrical, medical equipment, and more. If you are interested in doing your part to preserve our planet’s natural resources and reduce our need to mine for new ores, your best course of action is to start a metal recycling initiative at home and in the office!

Although all metal is 100% recyclable, there are some metals that are easier to come by than others. Continue reading to learn the top 4 easiest metals to get started with when it comes to recycling.

Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers 317-244-0700
Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers 317-244-0700

Aluminum

Do you have some food or soup cans laying around? These are likely made from aluminum! If not, they are made of tin, which is also entirely recyclable and reusable. Additional sources of aluminum scrap include car parts, metal patio furniture, mailboxes, sheet metal, bicycles, pots and pans, window frames, and some plumbing fixtures like sinks and faucets.

Steel

Steel is perhaps the number one most recycled metal in the United States. In fact, before Eco-friendly practices were trendy, steel was being recycling regularly. Not only does steel recycle require a fraction of the energy needed to recycle other materials, it does not lose any of its valuable properties in the process. This means steel can be recycled and reused over and over again.

Lead

Lead might not be something we want in our water, but it is something we want to recycle as often as possible. Common sources of recyclable lead include automotive batteries, including batteries for other types of motorized things, like motorbikes, bulldozers, golf carts, scooters, boats, and more. It is important to properly dispose of lead materials by recycling them because it can be harmful to the surrounding environment if leaked.  

Copper

The most common sources of copper that can be recycled are electronics and cookware. If you have old pots and pans made from copper, you have a decent freight of recyclable metal. Other sources include anything with a computer or circuit board, as well as, electrical wiring. Some gutter systems and roofing materials are also made from copper, and can be recycled over and over again.

A Trusted Indianapolis Metal Recycling Company That Pays You Cash

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.

Types of Metal Categories and Common Examples of Each

If you are reading this blog, you are involved in the scrap metal or metal sales industry in some way or another. Or perhaps you are simply a person who is interested in learning more about metal recycling, and therefore, require a basic knowledge on the various types of metal. Either way, a good place to start is to learn about ferrous, non-ferrous, base, noble, and precious metal. Continue below to get started!

Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers
Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers 317-244-0700

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metals

Ferrous metals are those that contain iron. Non-ferrous metals are those that do not contain iron. In order to tell the difference between a ferrous and non-ferrous metal, all you need is a strong magnet. If the magnet attracts to the object, it is ferrous, and contains iron. Iron retains natural magnet properties, making it easy to decipher among iron and non-iron items. The most common types of ferrous metals are carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, wrought iron, and mild steel. The most common types of non-ferrous metals are copper, nickel, brass, aluminum, tin, lead, zinc, and precious metals like gold and silver.

Precious Metals

Precious metals are those that are naturally-occurring and very rare, giving them high economic value. Precious metals can be either ferrous or non-ferrous, depending on its various alloys. Common precious metals include platinum, gold, and silver, while rarer examples include tungsten, zirconium, cobalt, rhodium, palladium, ruthenium, osmium, beryllium, cadmium, bismuth, selenium, mercury, and germanium. Most often, precious metals are used to make jewelry and art, but also for medical instruments, computers, and electronics.

Noble Metals

Noble metals include both precious and non-ferrous metals. Noble metals are metals that are resistant to corrosion and oxidation in moist conditions, namely humidity. Copper is the only non-precious metal that is also a noble metal by the actual physics definition. But this is arguable since copper is vulnerable to both corrosion and oxidation. Other examples of noble metals include copper, gold, silver, iridium, platinum, rhodium, rhenium, palladium, ruthenium, osmium, mercury.

Base Metals

Scientifically, there is not just one authoritative definition for a base metal. In fact, there are three, each one exercised independently from one another depending on the s[specific application of the metal. The most accepted definition of a base metal is one that is neither noble nor precious. Noble metals and precious metals are quite similar, and also have multiple definitions and applications. To better understand the meaning of a base metal, you will need to review the basic meanings of noble and precious metals first.

Where to Recycle Scrap Metal in Indianapolis

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get paid cash on the spot for scrap metal recycling in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay top-dollar for power tools, sheet metal, appliances, cars, trucks, motorcycles, golf carts, farm equipment, construction equipment, and more. And we guarantee to pay you cash on the spot! Call 317-244-0700 to make fast cash, today!

What are Red, Yellow and Green Metals?

On our planet, and within the core, lies hundreds of thousands of natural ores and minerals that we mine to make metal. Of the vast varieties of metals found within the Earth, all can be categorized as either ferrous or nonferrous. Ferrous metals and alloys contain iron, while nonferrous contain no iron.

Aside from these umbrella categories, metals can be further broken down into more intimate classifications and descriptions, such as precious and noble metals. But have you ever heard of metals being described using color? Well, it is possible that you have come across red metals, yellow metals, and even green metals!

Continue reading to learn facts about each type of metal, including examples and common applications.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling
Indianapolis Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Red Metals

Red metal is an informal term used to denote common alloys we know as copper, bronze, and brass. You can probably see quite well that all three of these alloys have a red-like tone, thus earning them the aforementioned moniker. Red metals have several beneficial attributes, such as corrosion resistance, high conductivity, high tensile strength, ductility, and aesthetics. For this reason, they are commonly used to make musical instruments, plumbing parts, wires, marine hardware, sculptures, and more.

Yellow Metals

Also known as Muntz metal, yellow metal is named after an English businessman, George F. Muntz, who received a patent in 1832. Although they may share some of the same types of metal, red and yellow metals are much different. Yellow metals is another informal moniker used to describe a type of brass alloy that contains an average composition of 60% copper and 40% zinc. It’s most common applications is for manufacturing corrosion-resistant machinery parts.

Green Metals

There are actually not metals known as “green” metals, however, you may have heard of electrum, which is often called “green gold.” Wikipedia.com describes electrum as “a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals.” An alloy is a metal that is made up of two or more metals, such as brass, which contains copper and zinc. It’s most common applications throughout history, and even now, are for jewelry, plated plaques and awards, coinage, and investments.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get paid cash on the spot for scrap metal, or any items that contain any type of metal, in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay top-dollar for power tools, sheet metal, appliances, cars, trucks, motorcycles, golf carts, farm equipment, construction equipment, and more. And we guarantee to pay you cash on the spot! Call 317-244-0700 to make fast cash, today!