8 Types of Job Site Junk You Can Recycle for Cash

By September 8, 2016Recycling Tips

Whether you are in the construction, demolition or automotive industries, or somewhere in between, there are plenty of ways you can recycle your job site junk and scrap metal for cash. Set your general labourer to work collecting these valuable items:

1. Construction waste

The easiest scrap metal to locate on any site is steel. I-beams, girders, trusses, structural steel and pilings are all great scrap steel finds. You can find scrap steel at bridge, apartment building and skyscraper construction sites all over the world.

Since steel doesn’t lose any of its original strength in the recycling process, it can become almost any steel product, from appliances to cars or even a new high-rise building. Plus, for every ton of steel you recycle, you save the planet from the mining of 1,400 pounds of coal and 2,500 pounds of iron ore.

2. Appliances

Though you may not think so at first glance, that old appliance on your home renovation or demolition site could bring in quite a few bucks. Stoves, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers, and even grills can contain precious scrap metal. Most commonly, these items can be recycled for steel, but you can also strip the wiring for scrap copper.

3. Plumbing

Another great place to find scrap metal for extra cash during your home renovation or demolition gig is in the plumbing. Pipes, valves, brass faucets, claw foot cast iron tubs, and stainless steel or cast iron sinks are all great sources of valuable scrap metals. Non-ferrous metals like brass and copper used in plumbing pipes and fixtures bring in more cash per pound, and the weight of ferrous goods like cast iron sinks or tubs also contributes to the pay-out.

Recycling any or all of these metals will help reduce your environmental footprint, as recycling existing metals uses 90% less energy than mining new materials.

4. Electrical

Like steel, copper retains its strength and durability when recycled, so it can easily become new electrical wiring for homes, appliances and even cars.

5. Cars

If you are in the automotive repair industry, look no further. We want your end-of-life cars because they contain a substantial amount of steel for weight. They also contain higher-tag items like lead-acid batteries or copper and brass radiators. Even the solder used in radiator shops has value as a 50/50 tin/lead alloy.

Recycled cars can become anything from an airplane to patio furniture, and it also keeps an estimated 11 million tonnes of steel and 800,000 tonnes of non-ferrous metals out of landfills each year.

6. HVAC

An excellent source of scrap metal for cash in every home can be found in units for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Furnaces, garbage disposals, condensers, AC units, and old water heaters all provide an abundant supply of sellable scrap metal. Gas water heaters are particularly valuable because they contain scrap copper.

7. Farm Equipment and Machinery

With a little effort, even rusty old farm implements can be worth a lot of money. Tractors, plows, combines, balers, swathers, skid steer loaders, gatherers, furrows, hog oilers, flails and winnowing machines are all recyclable.

When searching for the most bang for your buck, follow this rule of thumb: the older and heavier the better. Pre-1960s farm equipment is made of bulkier and therefore more valuable cast iron and steel, so don’t be afraid of a little rust.

8. Household Goods

The easiest way to shore up scrap metal for profit on a home demolition or renovation site is through common household goods like these:

  • Cell phones
  • TVs
  • Computer towers and monitors
  • Batteries
  • Pots and pans
  • Silverware
  • Ceiling fan motors
  • Brass or iron bed frames
  • Door or cabinet hardware
  • Food and drink cans
Old aluminum cans can be recycled for cash.

Because many of these items are small and easily transported to a scrap yard, household goods maximize your ratio of profit to time spent scrapping.

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