magnet picking up magnetic scrap metal

Scrap metal waste management can seem like just another task at the end of your workday. When your business works with a full-service scrap metal recycler, however, you can reap a range of economic and environmental benefits. To maximize the advantages of commercial scrap metal recycling, there are some best practices you should follow. 

This guide outlines the pros and cons of scrap metal recycling and gives you pointers on managing scrap metal effectively. 

Economic Benefits of Recycling Metals

Recycling ferrous and nonferrous metals offers financial gains your business can leverage. Your scrap metal can be valuable as a commodity because you can reuse it in new products and processes. For example, steel and iron can be recycled and reused for construction and infrastructure purposes. 

Here are some key economic benefits of recycling metals: 

  • Get paid for scrap: Rather than paying a waste disposal company to take your scrap away, you can gain a financial reward by working with a commercial scrap metal recycler. This helps reduce your waste disposal costs and increases your margins.
  • Potential tax incentives: Check whether your state offers tax incentives or rebates for recycling scrap metal responsibly. 
  • Lower material procurement costs: You can also recycle some scrap metal in-house to lower the price of your overall material procurement budget. Using recycled materials can be more cost-effective than buying new metals. 
  • Changing demand: The price of ferrous and nonferrous scrap metals fluctuates based on many factors, including scrap market conditions and the cost of virgin materials. In periods of high demand, your business could receive more cash for scrap metal. The good news is that scrap metal will always hold value because of its usefulness.
  • Save time: When working with a dependable scrap metal recycler, you can arrange dumpster services to suit your needs. By outsourcing the collection and waste management process, you can concentrate on your daily operations, maximizing productivity. 
  • Create space: If scrap metal is taking up space around your property, you can profit from recycling it for cash while freeing up space for more productive use of your premises. 

Environmental Advantages of Recycling Scrap Metal

When you recycle scrap metal, your business can make a significant environmental impact. It’s more than just ticking boxes — recycling can help you drive sustainable growth. 

Some of the environmental reasons why businesses should recycle scrap metal include: 

  • Decreasing landfill waste: Recycling your scrap metal prevents it from going to landfills. Your business then contributes to the circular economy by ensuring we keep these metals in use rather than letting them go to waste. This means that your business can move toward a zero-waste approach, which can be a key driver in why a customer might choose your company over another. 
  • Save resources: Aluminum is a great example of a metal that can be recycled repeatedly with minimal loss. Around 75% of the aluminum first mined in 1888 is still in use today. Other metals, such as steel and iron, can also be recycled almost infinitely. Whether it’s a soda can or a car door, these metals can be reused instead of having to use virgin materials.
  • Meet sustainability goals: You can meet zero-waste and zero-carbon goals by responsibly recycling your scrap metal. You can leverage your sustainable credentials to boost your brand reputation and position your company as a cutting-edge solution. 
Some of the environmental reasons why businesses should recycle metal

What Are the Pros and Cons of Recycling Metals?

Recycling metals is highly beneficial for your business. Pros of scrap metal recycling include:

  • Get a quick cash injection for your waste materials.
  • Cleans up your yard or workspace, which can improve site safety and give you more room for more productive work.
  • Use a scrap metal management service to save you time by organizing a collection with a single call.
  • Help save resources and keep existing materials in use, rather than landfill.
  • Use your sustainability credentials to help your business stand out from competitors. 

There are drawbacks to scrap metal recycling, such as:

  • Setting up your own in-house recycling systems can be time-consuming and expensive.
  • Collecting, sorting and taking your scrap metal to a recycling center may add extra time to a job.
  • Waiting for unreliable waste collectors to show up and collect your scrap can be frustrating.

Thankfully, you can avoid many of these cons by partnering with a scrap waste recycling company you can depend on. 

Scrap Metal Waste Management for Businesses

Managing scrap metal effectively can help you get the most value. Here are a few pointers:

  • Identify recyclable metals: You can use a magnet to tell ferrous from nonferrous metals, as the magnet will stick to ferrous metals such as iron and steel. Some of the most common metals include aluminum, brass, cast iron, copper, steel and tin. Be aware of items that may only be coated with a thin layer of metals or could be an alloy. If you’re unsure of your metal type, contact an expert for more advice and accurately determine the metal you are working with.
  • Sort by type: Separating the kinds of metal you have could help the scrap collector give you a more accurate quote. 
  • Remove non-metals: Remove any non-metals from your scrap pile. This may take some work if you’re deconstructing a component, but it can score you a higher scrap price.
  • Store scrap carefully: Keep your scrap metal dry to avoid rust oxidation and keep your metal in better condition to hold its value. 
  • Choose the right recycling partner: Find a recycler in your area you can trust. If you live within 30 miles of Newark, H&C Metals is a family-owned and operated business that puts its customers first. When you call us, you speak directly to one of our owners who will find the right scrap metal recycling service to suit your business. Getting the best value for your scrap and having a service you can rely on matters.

Recycle Your Scrap Metal with H&C Metals

Scrap metal recycling offers many benefits for your business, and when you work with a reliable scrap metal recycler, you can seamlessly incorporate it into your operations. 

Since 1976, H&C Metals has provided custom solutions for large-scale and industrial scrap metal recycling. When you recycle your scrap metal with us, you get prompt payment and the peace of mind that you are recycling your scrap metal responsibly, helping you stay compliant with environmental regulations. We accept a range of metals and cater to a variety of industries, from manufacturing to construction. 

To recycle your scrap metal, call us today on 973-589-7778 or fill out our form online with photos of your scrap. 

Recycle your scrap metal with H&C Metals