Steel is an amazing metal that is 100% recyclable. That means its lifespan is endless. We can continue to recycle scrap steel and turn it into brand-new metal over and over again. What’s even better is that you can sell your scrap steel for cash. In the article below I will discuss where to recycle it, common recycled steel products, how much you can get for it, and how the recycling process works. I’ll also share my experience with the place that does steel recycling near me.
Map of Steel Recycling Near Me
For “Steel Recycling Near Me”, see below for locations…
What Steel Items Can I Recycle?
Steel plays an essential role in the circular economy, and many steel products can be recycled. One of the main advantages of recycling steel is that it retains its properties no matter how many times it is recycled. This enables steel products to be continually melted and re-processed.
Here are some of the main examples of steel items that are widely recycled:
- Car Parts
- Construction materials such as steel roofs and beams
- Drums used for packaging
- Household appliances such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, etc…
- Food cans
Where Can I Recycle Steel Near Me?
While the recycling of steel is carried out at mills and foundries, scrap steel is usually taken to a scrap metal yard in the first instance. The scrap metal is then transported in bulk to the foundry to be recycled.
For smaller amounts of steel, for example, Food Cans, you can use your local curbside recycling pick up or local recycling center.
Aside from a scrap metal facility, there are other options for steel recycling near me. These options will depend on what you have:
Can I Sell Scrap Steel Near Me?
Both individuals and businesses can sell their scrap steel. If you want to sell steel, you can do so by finding a scrap yard near you that offers steel recycling. Most scrap yards are happy to pay for scrap steel from individuals looking to recycle scrap steel from their homes, even in small quantities. Likewise, businesses hoping to be paid for scrap steel left over from projects such as construction work can also take their steel along to scrap yards for recycling.
How Much Money Can I Get For Scrap Steel?
If you have some scrap steel you want to get rid of, you may be curious about its value and keen to know how much you may be able to get if you take it to a scrapyard. It is crucial to remember that scrap metal prices are changeable and can fluctuate over time. The type of scrap steel you have can impact the price considerably as well.
Shreddable steel can achieve approximately $252/ton, whereas heavy melting steel can be sold for approximately $293/ton. In contrast, as non-ferrous metal, stainless steel has a very different scrap value and can achieve around $0.76/lb. For current market rates on scrap steel, you can check on iScrap. Rates vary by day and can also vary by State.
Why is Steel Recycling Important?
Recycling steel is essential to ensure the steel industry’s carbon footprint is reduced. Recycling steel uses less energy than creating virgin steel and also prevents the steel from ending up in landfills.
Steel recycling is of paramount importance for several compelling reasons. First and foremost, it significantly contributes to the sustainability of the steel industry. By utilizing steel scrap, steel mills can reduce their reliance on virgin resources like iron ore, thereby conserving natural reserves and diminishing the environmental impact of mining.
Recycling steel saves a considerable amount of energy as well, as the process of smelting recycled steel requires significantly less energy compared to producing new steel from raw materials. Furthermore, steel recycled from scrap metal is crucial for the construction industry, where it is widely used in structural steel applications, ensuring the durability and safety of buildings and infrastructure.
In essence, the practice of scrap metal recycling not only bolsters the economic viability of the steel industry but also promotes environmental stewardship and resource conservation.
What are the Challenges of Recycling Steel?
While the environmental benefits of recycling steel are apparent, the process is not without challenges. One of the main difficulties faced when recycling steel is sorting through scrap metal to separate the steel from other components and metals. This is a necessary but often labor-intensive part of the process, which usually requires the use of magnets to draw the steel out. Trying to ensure the steel is not contaminated with other metals is not simple, but if other metals are present and contaminate the steel, its quality and strength are compromised.
The second main challenge that comes from recycling steel is preparing and shredding the scrap steel, so it is ready for melting. This stage of the recycling process is also labor-intensive and involves organizing the different metals into separate piles for melting.
The challenges of recycling steel in the North American steel industry revolve around several key factors. First, steel production traditionally relies on virgin raw materials, making it energy-intensive and contributing to significant greenhouse gas emissions.
While recycling steel reduces the demand for new resources, the logistics and technology required for efficient recycling can be expensive and pose operational challenges. Additionally, ensuring the quality and consistency of recycled material can be demanding, impacting the overall sustainability goals of the industry.
Do Landfills Accept Steel?
Most U.S. states have mandatory recycling laws, and you could be landed with a fine if you breach these and do not recycle the specified items. Some states have landfill bans that prevent items containing steel, such as white goods and steel cans, from being accepted in landfills. To avoid these issues and ensure your scrap steel does not go to waste, it is a great idea to find a scrapyard near you that offers steel recycling.
Recycling the steel rather than putting it in landfills is best for the environment and also helps you to earn some extra cash, so it is well worth looking for a scrap yard instead.
What’s the Process of Steel Recycling Near Me?
Steel is one of North America’s most recycled materials, and millions of tons of steel are recycled each year. While you may be aware that steel is recycled, you may be wondering how the steel recycling process works.
The process below explains the steps that transform scrap steel into new steel:
Collection and Sorting
Scrap steel is collected and sorted before the recycling process can begin. The steel is collected from scrap yards and taken to a plant to be sorted. The sorting process separates out the different types of metal that may be contained within the scrap and identifies the steel ready for it to be recycled.
Processing
The next step in the steel recycling process is for the steel to be taken to a mill or foundry that will facilitate the recycling. The steel is shredded and prepared, ready to be melted. Preparing the steel into smaller parts helps reduce the energy needed in the melting process.
Melting and Purification
The steel is then placed inside a large furnace to be melted. The steel will need to reach a temperature of approximately 2500 – 2800°F before it melts. To steel is then purified to ensure it does not contain contaminants. There are a few purification methods, but electrolysis is a common one.
Solidification
After the melting and purification process, the steel needs to solidify. Solidifying the steel involves allowing it to cool in a chamber. Once cooled and solid, the steel is ready to be transported to factories and reused once again.
Watch the Steel Recycling Process In Action
Watch this awesome video where sparks and flames shoot out and molten metal runs white hot. This is the process of turning scrap steel into fresh steel…
Which Products Are Made From Recycled Steel?
As steel is 100 percent recyclable, its lifespan is endless. Recycled steel can be used to make a wide range of products without impacting the quality of the end product. Recycled steel is used to make everything from car parts to household appliances such as refrigerators. It is also widely used in the construction industry to create materials such as steel beams.
Steel Recycling Near Me Conclusion
Since steel is completely reusable it is imperative to seek solutions to recycle it. While there are challenges like separating steel from other metals, it is still very efficient. You can help the process by separating your steel and other metals before you go to a scrap yard. In my experience by doing this, you can also net higher profit margins from your metals when you sell them for scrap. This is what I have learned from steel recycling near me.
