Tag Archives: metal recycling

The Top 3 Applications of Recycled Scrap Metal

Posted on by

All metal is 100% recyclable, so metals and alloys like copper, iron, steel, aluminum, brass, and more are frequently recycled at scrap metal centers around the world. From there, they are made into new products and materials, and applied in various industries and applications. However, the top three uses for recycled scrap metal include the making of household products, retail packaging, and manufacturing and industrial materials.

Continue reading to learn more about each category, and where you can recycle all of your scrap metal in town.

Indianapolis Steel Metal Recycling 317-244-0700
Indianapolis Steel Metal Recycling 317-244-0700

Scrap Metal Recycling Benefits the Whole World

There are so many benefits to recycling scrap metal. The most impactful include the reduction of the need to mine for new ores, which also creates massive fuel emissions that pollute the environment, as well as, the preservation of our planet’s natural resources. Metal recycling also benefits our local economies by keeping cash flowing, providing jobs, and facilitating safe and efficient waste disposal. One unknown benefit of scrap metal recycling is the potential to earn a profit. Many metal recycling centers and scrappers pay cash for scrap metal and metal-containing commodities, such as cars, motorized equipment, auto parts, scrap plumbing, scrap construction materials, electronics, and more.

⮩ Household Products

Common household items and products that are made from recycled scrap metal include lighting, hardware fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and furnishings.

⮩ Retail Packaging

A large quantity of retail packaging comes from recycled scrap metal. Examples include food packaging, like aluminum and tin cans for food and soda.

⮩ Industrial and Manufacturing

Industrial and manufacturing goods are often made from recycled metal. Examples include cars, planes, appliances, industrial containers, building materials, plumbing components, and even ductwork.

How to Recycle Near You

If you are interested in contributing to the preservation of our Earth’s natural resources, all you have to do is start recycling! Start by looking for a local recycling center to provide you with information about residential and commercial recycling pickup services and more. Many materials can be recycled, including plastic and paper; but one of the most important elements to re-purpose is metal.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling Services You Can Profit From!

Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle metal in Indianapolis, or in the Central Indiana areas. We provide professional Indianapolis scrap metal recycling services for all metal scrap and equipment, regardless of age or condition. Best of all, we pay cash on the spot for them! Our complex is conveniently located on Indy’s West side, right off of Mickley Avenue, so there is never any trouble finding or entering our grounds. And although we are based out of Indianapolis, we serve all of Central Indiana. Request a free estimate, today.

4 Common Metals That are Easy to Recycle

Posted on by

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.

Having Trouble with Your Cell Phone Battery?

Posted on by

Is your cell phone battery constantly losing its charge?  Does the battery fail after charging it the same day?  If this is happening consistently, then check out these scenarios below to find a solution to your cell phone battery problems. If you still can’t fix your cell phone battery problem with these solutions, consider recycling it at your nearest metal recycling center. Not only can you make some fast cash, you can do something good for the environment and the local economy, all at the same time!

Indianapolis Electronics Recycling
Indianapolis Electronics Recycling 317-244-0700

The Problem With Old Cell Phones and Batteries

Although cell phone technology has changed rapidly over the years, the design and makeup of cell batteries has not. Cell phone batteries are lithium-ion based, with a standard lifespan of two to three years. Generally, these batteries will keep a cellular phone charged for a few days. They are proven to be quite efficient as power sources for mobile phones.

Around 15 years ago, it was common to see cell phones that only allotted one hour of talk time. Although 24 hours of standby phone use would follow, the phone would then have to be charged, usually overnight, to regain power. Phones today use so much more processing, but they can stay charged much longer; usually three to four hours of talk time, and 2 to 3 days of standby. With all this updated technology and upgrades, why do cell phone users still experience problems with battery power?

When manufacturers test cell phone batteries, they base it off of normal use only. This entails calling and receiving calls, and voicemail.  In cell phones today, such as the iPhones and Android phones, there is much more going on besides the typical phone call. Even when we are not using them, apps and other features are working and processing.

For example, emails are being sent, internet is being browsed, mobile apps and GPS systems are turned on, roaming and signal locating, and much more. All this and more causes out cell phone batteries to lose power more quickly. So, if you charge your phone overnight, only for it to lose power the next day, look into the amount of processing your phone is doing on a daily basis. To reduce losing battery power, reduce the amount of processing on your mobile device.  The more features that are incorporated into the design of a phone, the more energy the phone will use.

Can’t fix your broken cell phone? Recycle it for instant cash, and then apply your instant profit toward the purchase of a new phone!

How to Recycle an Old or Broken Cell Phone in Indianapolis

Call Zore’s Recycling division at 317-244-0700 to recycle old or broken electronics in Indianapolis, Indiana for cash on the spot. 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.

How to Clean Cast Iron Rust Stains on Stainless Steel

Posted on by

Well anyone with a cast iron skillet knows not to leave it in a wet sink overnight. Yet, many of us still forget or neglect this rule of thumb, only to wake up to an unsightly ring of rust tarnishing their once bright and shiny stainless steel sink. Fortunately, this blunder is easily corrected. All you need are a few common household supplies, and a little elbow grease. Even if your sink is ruined from rust and oxidation, you still have the option of recycling it for cash at a local scrap metal yard. Then you can put that cash towards a new stainless steel sink!

Continue reading to learn all of this and more!

Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700
Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700

Rust Formation on Stainless Steel

Stainless steel isn’t exactly stainless. It is a chromium-based, ferrous metal, which means it is vulnerable to certain kinds of corrosion, such as oxidation, if it is not properly maintained. Oxidation occurs when oxygen and moisture come in contact with stainless steel. Upon such exposure, the properties in the metal will begin to interact with the properties in water and oxygen, which in turn, causes the iron in metal to corrode. Rust is simply a form of iron oxide.

What You Need to Clean Away Rust

Typically, simple baking soda solutions will do the trick when it comes to removing rust from metal. But for cast iron rust stains, you will need something a little stronger. An oxalic acid cleaner and a soft sponge are all you need, both of which can be found online or at your nearest grocery store. For oxalic acid cleaner, we recommend the Bar Keepers Friend® Soft Cleanser, which is a liquid version that does not contain any grit or abrasives. You can also use stainless steel polishes and cleaners, as well as, copper cleaners. You do not want to use anything caustic, or that contains harmful chlorides that will destroy the outer protective layer of your sink.

How to Get Started

The next time you leave your skillet in the sink, here is how to remove the residual rust stains:

🧼 Following the manufacturer’s instructions on your oxalic acid cleaner, apply a generous amount to the stained areas.

🧼 Dampen your sponge, and then scrub the cleaner into the stains, in the same direction of the grain.

🧼 Repeat the gentle scrubbing until you feel like the stain has lifted.

🧼 Then simply rinse your sink clean!

How to Scrap an Old Sink

If your sink is too old, or too stained to clean, you can recycle it at a local scrap metal recycling center. Some scrappers even pay for scrap metal, and an old sink is the perfect piece of scrap metal to recycle! After you recycle your old sink for cash, you can use it toward a brand new sink.

Indiana Scrap Metal Buyers Who Pay Cash on the Spot

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle steel 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.

Which Metals are Recommended for Welding?

Posted on by

Welding is a highly-complex process that involves a load of chemistry and mechanical engineering. It is important to apply all the necessary steps and tools to ensure great results. Not only should your welding look good, it should perform well and stand the test of time. For these reasons and more, you must use the proper metal to weld your masterpiece together. Continue reading to learn which metals are most recommended for welding applications.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700
Indianapolis Metal Recycling Center 317-244-0700

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a top contender for welding applications. It is highly resistant to corrosion, tarnishing, and rust. The most common uses for stainless steel include food handling and processing, surgical instruments, medical devices, aircrafts, appliances, hardware, and more. Stainless steel usually contains anywhere from 15% to 30% alloy content. The common alloying ingredient in stainless steel is chromium, but nickel, copper, manganese, iron, and molybdenum are also used. Additionally, stainless steel comes in three groups based on crystalline structure: ferritic, austenitic, and martensitic. Ferritic and austenitic stainless steel grades are more suitable for welding, while martensitic stainless steel can prove to be more of a challenge.

Low Carbon Mild Steel

Low carbon steel, also known as “mild steel”, is considered to be the best metal option for welding applications. Containing an average of 0.04% to 0.30% carbon content, it is primarily used in the construction and building industry, and comes it a wide variety of shapes, from flat sheet to structural beam. The number of added alloys can be altered and adjusted to make low carbon steel better suited for certain applications. For example, Drawing Quality (DQ) steel has less carbon and more aluminum, while structural beam steel has more carbon and more manganese.

Aluminum

Aluminum is not as easy to weld as low carbon steel, but it is still workable. Found on the periodic table with the symbol “Al” and atomic number 13, aluminum has a silvery white finish, and mostly admired for its magnetic and ductile (good heat conductivity) properties. This makes aluminum a ferrous metal, meaning it contains iron. Compared to stainless steel, aluminum has higher oxidation and corrosion resistance properties, and is very light in weight. The most well-known use for aluminum is food and soda cans. But aside from canned goods, aluminum is also widely used in the automaker and aerospace industry for its ductile, corrosion-resistant qualities and more.

Other Possible Options:

Titanium – To weld titanium safely, you will need additional equipment, including shielding to prevent the metal from oxidizing.

High-Carbon Steel – To confidently weld high-carbon steel, you will need preheating and post-welding heat treatments to prevent cracks.

Super Alloys – Most super alloys can only have successful welding results if done in a vacuum.

Recycle Your Leftover Scrap Metal

You can support Earth’s sustainability by recycling metal as often as you can. Not only is this great for the environment since it reduces the need to mine for new ores, it stimulates our economy by proving jobs. Additionally, metal recycling can put cash straight into your wallet. You see, many local metal recycling centers pay cash on the spot for scrap metal.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling Services

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to get started with profitable metal recycling services 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 Much Can I Really Get for My Junk Car in Indianapolis?

Posted on by

A person might possess a junk vehicle for various reasons. Sometimes a person cannot afford car repair or another insurance claim after totaling their car; other people start car remodeling projects that they never got around to finishing; while the rest simple inherits a vehicle that has no particular use. No matter the reason for owning a junk car, a person has options for getting rid of it, and for a profit.

Continue reading to learn what a junk car is valued at in Indiana, and who to call for the highest return for your asset.

Automotive Recycling Center 317-244-0700
Automotive Recycling Center 317-244-0700

The Basics of Appraising a Junk Car

The items that make a junk car valuable are made from metal. And the most valuable metals in a junk car are its parts, like the catalytic converter made primarily from platinum. If your junk vehicle has all its parts intact, even if they are not functional, they are worth good cash. The rest of the steel in the vehicle is valuable and recyclable as well. Even the headlights, taillights, fenders, bumpers, windshields, tires, and more are reusable and valuable. So, the more intact your junk car is, the more money it will be worth to a junk car buyer.

Let’s say your junk vehicle is not very-well intact, missing valuable auto parts like the motor or catalytic converter, it is still profitable. The steel, steel frame, and more can be sold for cash and recycled at a junk car lot. Although the overall value and return is less, it is still worth something.

The current metal prices in the market determine the maximum payouts at local junk car buying lots and scrap metal recycling centers. So, one year steel can be worth more, while the next it brings in less profit. This is how junk car buyers evaluate the overall worth of a junk vehicle.

Indianapolis Auto Recycling Services That Pay the MOST

Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to request a free estimate for your junk car in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding locations. We are a leading source for junk car recycling and auto salvaging in Central Indiana because we pay top-dollar for the scrap metal in your vehicle! Regardless of its condition, we pay CASH ON THE SPOT whether running or not. It doesn’t even have to have all of its parts! And we don’t just take in cars and trucks; we buy all motorized commodities, including tractors, lawn mowers, forklifts, watercrafts, airplanes, and more.

How to Ensure Protection When Throwing Away Old Hard Drives

Posted on by

Hard drives are used by people of all ages and vocations to store information like files, documents, pictures, videos, music, and more. Although hard drives are so commonly bought and used, many people are unsure of how to dispose of them once they are not needed anymore. Throwing away personal files and documents is risky in terms of identity theft and privacy, so you want to make sure they are discarded properly for the sake of your own security. Continue reading to learn how to do just that.

Electronics Recycling 317-244-0700
Indianapolis Electronics Recycling 317-244-0700

Certificate of Destruction

One option for hard drive disposal is scrap yards. Often times, scrap yards simply recycle junk metal, and then provide a COD, or certificate of destruction. This certificate states that your hard drives will only be destroyed and picked apart for metal recycling purposes. Some scrap yards will refurbish and resell them, so this certificate is important to ask about when shopping around for a junk metal buyer or recycling center.

E-Waste Shredding Services

If you are not comfortable with the idea of trusting a company’s word that your files will be destroyed, you can choose a more personal route. There are a few companies you can contact that provide shredding, grinding, or hole punching services for things like documents, paperwork, and hard drives. Although you do have to pay for these services, it ensures that your hard drives are entirely destroyed and that nothing will remain of them.

If you choose shredding services, you can take your destroyed hard drives and recycle them at your local metal refinery. Many metal recycling companies pay cash for junk and scrap metal too, so you can essentially pay yourself back for the shredding services in the end. It is more lucrative to sell hard drives as a whole, however, security is priceless. But keep in mind that selling shredded scrap metal can be more challenging because scrap yards have trouble sorting it among other materials. You might even be asked to pay sorting fees.

✨ Hard drives are lucrative items to sell because they contain gold and computer chips that are very valuable. Talk to your local metal recycling company for information about selling used hard drives.

Where to Sell Your Old Hard Drives in Indiana

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 for safe and secure e-waste recycling services for all kinds of electronic waste in Indianapolis, Indiana. We pay cash for all sorts of junk metal, including all electronics, computers, circuit boards, and hard drives. As a family owned and operated company since 1975, you can trust us for honest and respectful service. Call 317-244-0700 for a free quote today.

A Unique Caterpillar Might Be Able to Help Get Rid of Plastic Waste

Posted on by

As a human species, we produce a lot of waste, especially when it comes to plastic. In fact, according to the EPA, we produce more than 300 million tons of plastic waste every single year, 91 percent of which is not even recycled. But recent studies might suggest that there is a light at the end of the growing plastic waste tunnel. Scientists and researchers have discovered a particularly unique caterpillar species that will eat, but more importantly, easily digest, plastic. That’s right; a caterpillar might be the answer to efficient and renewable plastic waste bio-degradation.

Continue reading to learn more, including how you can step up your recycling game at home and in the office.

Larvae of the Greater Wax Moth (Wax Worm)
Larvae of the Greater Wax Moth (Wax Worm)

The Greater Wax Moth

More commonly referred to as a wax worm, the larvae of the Greater Wax Moth will eat any type of plastic. Back in 2017, it was discovered that these larvae could digest the stuff. Now, as recently as last week, a new study published in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, explains how these little critters can accomplish such a feat. This information about the digestive process of the wax worm is very exciting because it can help us learn how to break down plastic and reduce the waste in our landfills.

So How Do These Worms Digest Plastic?

Scientists and researchers have figured out that the wax worm retains certain microorganisms in their gut microbiomes that can degrade and process plastic. Furthermore, they learned that these caterpillars could thrive on nothing but plastic for at least a year. Data from this study showed that wax works actually create more of these microorganisms on a plastic-only diet, meaning the more plastic they eat, the more bacteria their gut produces to effectively break it all down.

According to associate professor and chair of biology at Brandon University in Canada, Christophe LeMoine, “”We found that wax worm caterpillars are endowed with gut microbes that are essential in the plastic biodegradation process (…) This process seems reliant on a synergy between the caterpillars and their gut bacteria to accelerate polyethylene degradation.”

Did You Know Other Creatures Can Eat Plastic?

These caterpillars are unique in that they can digest plastic, but they are not alone. There are at least 50 known species, referred to as plastivores, that can do the same to some or equal degree. However, the wax worm is the most adept. But we cannot rely on a worm species to take care of our plastic waste problem; it is important for all of us to try to reduce our plastic consumption and recycle as much as we can.

How to Recycle Near You

If you are interested in contributing to the preservation of our Earth’s natural resources, all you have to do is start recycling! Start by looking for a local recycling center to provide you with information about residential and commercial recycling pickup services and more. Many materials can be recycled, including plastic and paper; but one of the most important elements to re-purpose is metal.

Indianapolis Metal Recycling Services

Contact Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 to recycle metal in Central Indiana. We provide professional Indianapolis scrap metal recycling services for all metal scrap and equipment, regardless of age or condition. Best of all, we pay cash on the spot for them! Our complex is conveniently located on Indy’s West side, right off of Mickley Avenue, so there is never any trouble finding or entering our grounds. And although we are based out of Indianapolis, we serve all of Central Indiana. Request a free estimate, today.

How to Recycle Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal

Posted on by

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.

Interesting Facts about Copper

Posted on by

Indianapolis Copper Recycling 317-244-0700

Indianapolis Copper Recycling 317-244-0700

Copper is a fascinating metal, especially because it is used in such a broad range of industries; such as industrial, chemical, technological, and artistic trades. It is a conduit of electricity, as well as, a dietary element. It is a magnificent metal that has endless forms, uses, and advantages. It was first discovered over ten thousand years ago by ancient civilizations, and has been a primary tool and key component to all living organisms. Read on to learn why it is so valuable, and catch up on more interesting truths about this inspiring metal we call copper!

Copper is a Natural Metal

Copper occurs naturally in the outdoors. It is soft and malleable in its purest form. A non-corroded surface will appear reddish or orange in color. This is the most recognized look of copper, today. It is one of the few metals that is one hundred percent recyclable because of its natural makeup. However, there are various other metals made of copper constituents that can also be recycled.

Copper is Vital in the Survival of All Living Organisms

As mentioned before, copper is a key component in all living life forms. This is because it is a dietary mineral. Depending on the organism, it can be found in organs, blood, muscle, and bone. It is an essential trace element that every living thing requires.

Copper is One of the Most Naturally Plentiful Metals on Earth

It is a fact that there is still a vast amount of natural copper in just the first kilometer of the Earth’s crust! It is suggested that this much copper could mean we can continue to mine copper at our current rate for the next five million years. That is fascinating and good news! An extra fact; copper is not only found inside the Earth’s crust, but also in massive stars in space.

Did you also know that it is estimated that nearly eighty percent of the world’s mined copper is still being reused and fluctuated around to this day? This is why recycling metal is so great for our environment! It is one of the most popular metals to recycle, under aluminum and iron. It can be melted down and reused over and over again. Copper plays a vital role in our environment, and the growth and sustainability of all living plants and creatures, including ourselves. It is truly a magical and fascinating element.

Zore’s Recycling

Indianapolis Metal Recyclers

Indianapolis Metal Recyclers 317-244-0700

Call Zore’s Recycling at 317-244-0700 for more information about recycling copper in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not only can we give you more fun facts about copper and other metals, we can give you free over-the-phone quotes on scrap metal prices in Indiana. We offer all metal recycling and reprocessing services; such as all metal recycling, auto recycling, appliance recycling, junk car removal, and much more! When it comes to recycling copper in Indianapolis, Zore’s Recycling is the team to trust for the highest return!