What Are The Steps Of The Scrap Metal Recycling Process?

Scrap metal recycling is the process of selling your unwanted metals to a recycling facility where they will then classify and melt down the metals so they can be used in new products. You can recycle almost all kinds of metals, including appliances, equipment, vehicles, metal wiring, and so much more! When you sell your scrap metal to a recycling facility, not only will you benefit for monetary reasons, but you’ll also be helping the environment! Most metals can be recycled over and over again an unlimited amount of times, reducing the need for the development of virgin metals, which can be harsh on the environment. In this article, we’ll talk about each step of the scrap metal recycling process so you’ll know exactly what happens to your metals after you bring them to a recycling facility! If you are looking to sell scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, contact Second Street Iron & Metal in Everett, MA, today!

Scrap Collection

The first step in the scrap metal recycling process is the collection of the metals. This is where you come in! Residents and businesses alike can bring their unwanted metal items to their local scrap facility where they’ll be paid for their scrap value. The more metal you bring, the more you’ll be paid! Different scrap metals are worth different prices, so it’s important to know what kinds of metals you have in order to maximize your payment!

Weighing & Sorting

Once you’ve dropped off your metal or it has been picked up by the company you choose, they will weigh and sort the items by different metal types. Copper will be put in one pile, steel in another, aluminum in another, etc. While this is the end of the scrap metal recycling journey for you, it is only the beginning for us!

Melting Down

After the metals have been sorted into their individual groups, it’s time to start melting the metals down. The metals will be sent into a smelter or metal furnace, where the high temperature will melt them into a liquid form.

Ingot Creation

The next step in the scrap metal recycling process is the creation of ingots. After the metal has been melted down into a liquid state, it will be poured into a mold, then cooled, creating a block of metal known as an ingot. 

Repurposing Into New Products

After the scrap metal has been melted down and turned into an ingot, the ingots will be sold to metal manufacturers. These ingots can then be re-melted by the manufacturers and formed into whatever shape they need for new products. Recycled metals can be used for almost anything: cars, new appliances, pipes, furniture, and almost anything else you can think of that is made of metal!

Contact Second Street Iron & Metal!​

​If you’re ready to start recycling scrap metal in the Greater Boston area, Second Street Iron & Metal is here for you! Our facility, located in Everett, is in the perfect location to accommodate all of the Greater Boston region! We strive to give our clients the best prices for all kinds of scrap metal! Give us a call at (617) 387-1188 or fill out the contact form on our website, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible!