Recycling metals in Los Angeles is big business. You might not think it to look at a scrap metal recycling center (like TM Scrap Metals, Inc.) since most of the scrap yards are located in L.A.’s more industrial areas. However, the scrap metal recycling industry is expected to generate more than 23 billion dollars in 2021. Despite ups and downs, price fluctuations and even a pandemic thrown into the mix, recycling scrap metal is something in demand since manufacturers need metal and recycling it is cheaper than creating those same metals from scratch.

Just about every metal you can name is on the recycling list, although we don’t get much call for ytterbium ‘round these parts. Some scrap metal buyers will deal in ferrous metals as well as non-ferrous, but for us at TM Scrap Metals, our focus is on non-ferrous metals. Why? For us it makes economic sense. Yes, iron (whose elemental symbol on the periodic table if Fe—hence Ferrous) will always have a demand, but non-ferrous metals have a higher demand for various reasons.

Take any non-ferrous metal (e.g., aluminum) and you’ll at once recognize it is corrosion resistant. Brass or stainless steel are similar. Non-corrosion is a big deal. It means those things made from non-ferrous metals will have a longer usable lifetime and as such are in higher demand. Think about the aluminum rims on your car. They’re not going to rust away after you drive through a rushing torrent during a rainstorm. That stainless steel kitchen knife won’t be oxidizing just because you ran it under hot, soapy water to clean it. It will be there in pristine condition for years to come.

We’ve touched on brass as well in our brass scrap prices post a while back. There’s a reason brass was (and is) used in nautical equipment. It won’t rust. There’s not a large market for iron trumpets, either.  And copper is famous for its use in plumbing. It might develop a green patina over the years but you’ll be long gone before copper rusts away. It just doesn’t.

Suffice it to say that non-ferrous metals are used to a great extent in myriad ways and things. Whatever needs to be produced with a particular metal means that metal will be in constant demand. Creating brass on the fly from an admixture of copper and zinc is time consuming and costly. Hence manufacturers continue to depend on scrap metal recycling centers like TM Scrap Metals in Los Angeles. The non-ferrous metals are in higher demand than ferrous metals and as such allows us to make a greater profit as well as being able to pay more to scrappers looking to make cash for their scrap.

For those with time on their hands, scouring some of Los Angeles’ dumpsters, or auto auctions for metal leftovers can mean a nice chunk of change in your pocket for a little bit of dirty work. Even if you’re not one of those mercenary scrappers and perhaps just a construction company or demolition business with excess metals, bringing it to your local Los Angeles scrap metal dealer means less waste, more money coming back to the company, less use of landfill (as well as a profit for us!).

Los Angeles’ Scrap Location

If you find yourself in possession of non-ferrous scrap metal in Los Angeles, the next step is clear. You need to bring that scrap to us. Or use our mobile metal recycling service where we come to you! Either way, TM Scrap Metals is the company you want to deal with when selling scrap for cash. Call us today! 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Aluminum rims for scrap can be a great way to pick up some extra cash. If you’re new to scrap metal recycling you may think the only things you can really recycle are aluminum cans or plastic or glass bottles. That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to scrapping.

As we’ve written in previous scrap metal posts on this site there’s a big market for scrap metals. Aluminum, for example, is always in demand because it’s so much more efficient and cheaper to recycle this metal than to make it from scratch.  Can aren’t the only things made from aluminum and if you’re creative and clever you can end up with a pocketful of cash for someone else’s discarded scrap metals.

We’ve also written that as a Los Angeles metal recycling center we provide a valuable service by recycling. This keeps so many items out of landfills. Regardless, some people are still uninformed (or lazy) and end up dumping old appliances (or other metal items) on the roadside when they could have just as easily have dropped those items off at TM Scrap Metals and walked away with cash. They would have gotten rid of their scrap metal, kept the environment clean and gotten some money in the bargain. Why, why WHY not bring those scrap items to us?

Still, when someone else is too lazy to recycle metal for cash, enterprising scrappers can pick up those metal items and bring them to us. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and discarded metal items mean cash for you if you pick them up. As the embedded YouTube video shows, one smart scrapper found a set of discarded aluminum rims at a car auction. They were thrown out as trash, but with a small amount of effort this scrapper turned a pile of trash into a $40 payday.  Check out our pricing page for aluminum scrap prices.

Aluminum Rims, Radiators and Other Scrap Car Parts

Aluminum rims can most often be found in places that deal with automobiles such as car auctions. Here near our Sun Valley, CA location we have a famous auto auction site in Copart. Could a trip to one of these auction locations provide you with some discarded aluminum rims?  Aluminum radiators? Who knows? It pays (literally) to keep your eyes open. And should you find some discarded aluminum, it’s only a few minutes to TM Scrap Metals where we pay cash for that found scrap.

Aluminum cans aren’t the only player on the block. Now that you know that many metal items other people have thrown away can be a source of cash when you do find a trove such as scrap aluminum wheels, you know where to bring them. Take advantage of someone else’s laziness. Sit back and smile as you count the cash someone else just threw away! Call us at 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Sell aluminum cans for cash? If you’re in the Sun Valley area of Los Angeles (located in the eastern portion of the San Fernando Valley) the location you seek is TM Scrap Metals on Tuxford St. If you’re looking for convenience to Burbank, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Van Nuys, Panorama City or even Sylmar, it couldn’t be easier. Our location is right off Interstate 5.

Aluminum is one of the most favored metals to recycle for cash and for good reason. Its use in the beverage industry is so widespread and commonplace that we often don’t give it a second thought. We see and use aluminum cans so often we forget about them. But their very abundance is what makes them a great metal to recycle.

The only downside, if there is one, is that aluminum is such a light metal it takes a fairly large amount to recycle for significant cash. That’s not the case with scrap brass or copper which are both heavier, denser metals and a smaller amount will return a higher payout when you bring them to the scrap metal recycling center.

Still, aluminum cans, as we said, are ubiquitous and it’s easier to find a bunch of discarded soft drink cans on the roadside, in a park or on a beach and pick them up with the intent to recycle. If you go through enough of them yourself on a daily or monthly basis, keeping your old cans until you have enough can be a great idea. Aluminum cans are so easy to crush flat that stacking or stockpiling a good amount is not going to take up much space. It makes sense, too, to collect enough to make the payout at the scrap metal dealer worthwhile.

Of course, when we talk about scrap for cash we know that there’s a monetary incentive to bring you aluminum cans in for recycling but there’s also an altruistic purpose and that’s to reduce the amount of trash in our communities. Recycling aluminum cans for money does just that. It’s something you can feel good about doing because you know those cans will find new life as…new cans (or anything else made from aluminum)! You also get to walk away with some cash in your pocket. Our cities are made cleaner and we reduce the amount of waste that goes into our landfills.

Mobile Scrap Metal Recycling Service

Aluminum cans aren’t the only things we recycle and you may have tons of scrap aluminum you need to get rid of. If it’s bulky and you can’t easily deliver it to our scrap yard, remember that we do have a mobile recycling service and can come to you for bulky item pickup. We’ll take the scrap metal off your hands and pay you for it. Another win-win situation. Actually it’s win-win-win, because you make cash for your scrap metal, we get the scrap we need and the environment benefits.

So if you’re looking to sell those aluminum cans for cash, choose TM Scrap Metals, the best scrap metal recycling center in Los Angeles! 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

We’re the L.A. recycling center that’s closer to you than any other. How is that possible? Simple. That’s because TM Scrap Metals has a mobile recycling service. Just what is that? Well, no matter where you are located in Los Angeles, you can merely give us a call and we can come to your location! How’s that for simple?

Look, there are a plethora of metal recycling facilities in Los Angeles and we want to be number one. We achieve that through several ways. First is convenience. If you have a lot of scrap metal you’re looking to recycle for cash but don’t want to load it all up and transport it yourself to a scrap metal yard, well, you don’t have to. We come to you. We’ll take that scrap off your hands and pay you for it. You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your armchair if you don’t want. That beats hauling your own scrap metal any day.

Great Scrap Metal Prices and Great Service

Scrap metal prices are another way we strive to be number one in Los Angeles. As we’ve said, you have a choice to transport your scrap to the scrap yard down the street, but with our mobile recycling option as well as paying great prices for scrap metal we think we’re the best choice in L.A. In addition we’re scrap pros and we’ll let you know just how valuable your scrap is and what we can pay for it. Remember, things like insulated wire will pay less than wire that’s been stripped. Regardless you’re going to get some of the best scrap metal pricing in the Los Angeles area.

One more thing we should say is that we’re a really nice team to work with. If it comes down to choosing one scrap metal dealer over another, why not go with the one that treats you fairly, with courtesy and professionalism. In other words, go with TM Scrap Metals. Take advantage of our mobile recycling or drop by our Los Angeles recycling center. Call us today for your metal recycling needs. 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Scrap metal is something that would seem self explanatory and not needing additional or more detailed definitions, but it does. At least the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) thinks it does. This may be for good reason because even though a scrap yard such as ours does try to recycle every ounce of metal we receive, there are some items that can’t be recycled.

You have probably never heard of some of the metals the EPA has defined as scrap (or conversely, has said is NOT scrap) such as tantalum anodes, but we have. For those who just can’t get enough of scrap metal trivia, you can check out the CALTHA company website which has an article detailing the EPA’s 2017 definition of scrap metal. In part it states:

On February 24, 2017, EPA issued a response to an inquiry about what does and does not meet EPA’s definitions of “scrap metal” and “processed scrap metal,” as they relate to scrap tantalum anodes, wire, pellets, pins, and powders. RCRA defines scrap metal as “bits and pieces of metal parts (e.g., bars, turnings, rods, sheets, wire) or metal pieces that may be combined together with bolts or soldering (e.g., radiators, scrap automobiles, railroad box cars), which when worn or superfluous can be recycled.”

EPA, February 24, 2017

Scrap Metal Distinctions

The EPA classifies different types of scrap metal depending on their origin or manufacturing process. These include terms such as:

“Processed scrap metal.” In general this refers to someone (maybe even you) separating a bunch of scrap metal into distinct groups to make more cash for scrap. For example, say you have a pile of various metals including copper, aluminum and stainless steel. If you separated out the individual metals you would be able to make more money from recycling those scrap metals than you would bringing the original pile to the scrap yard—again because there would be more labor involved in separating the metals.

“Home scrap metal” refers to that generated by steel mills, refineries and foundries. This type includes turnings, cuttings, borings and punchings.

Similarly “prompt scrap metal” refers to that generated by metalworking industries. It likewise includes turnings, cuttings, borings and punchings.

What an L.A. Recycling Center Can Take (or Not)

While our Los Angeles scrap metal recycling center can take just about any metal, some metals are not classified as scrap such as non-agglomerated tantalum powder (a metal used in many alloys).  Agglomerated simply means “put together” such that the powder resembles other types of metal, e.g., turned into a solid by use of some sort of binder.

We have a feeling that none of this minutiae is going to matter to you. In 9,999 cases out of 10,000 all you want to do is get paid for recycling your scrap.  Truth be told, we understand. Bring your scrap metal to our location (or call us for a scrap metal pick up) and we’ll pay you cash for your scrap. Leave the esoteric definitions to us and the EPA! Call us today! 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Romex wire recycling is a subject we’ve written about before when we talked about stripping wires prior to recycling for scrap. However, we did not go into detail about the types of wire that people bring to our Los Angeles recycling center. While we alluded to all types of wires we can certainly be more specific and name one of the most popular types of wiring, specifically Romex.

Romex is the trademark name for kind of electrical conductor that does not have metallic sheathing, the kind that is used in residential electrical wiring. According to the National Electrical Code it is categorized as an underground feeder (UF) or nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM or NMC).

Because of the flame resistant and moisture resistant nature of the coating of this type of wiring, it’s permitted in areas that are more moist, like basements. That doesn’t really apply to our dry environment Los Angeles but it’s an interesting thing to know.

In some areas—and this may apply to you—Romex wire is not permitted and instead the use of armored cable is required. Armored cable is a whole different ball of wax that we won’t discuss here for wire recycling purposes.

Wire Recycling Near You

If you find yourself in possession of a significant amount Romex cable and you’re looking to recycle scrap wiring for cash in and around Los Angeles, bring your excess scrap wire to TM Scrap Metals.  We are conveniently located just off Interstate 5 in the Burbank / Sun Valley, California area. Keep in mind, however, that no matter where you are in greater Los Angeles, if you want to recycle scrap for cash we can come to you! Take advantage of our mobile recycling service and with one phone call we’ll schedule a pick up and pay you cash for your scrap wires. Call today! 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Scrap metal buyers, TM Scrap Metals in Los Angeles, provides more than just cash for scrap metal. Each pound of metal we recycle is one pound that does not go into a landfill.

If you check out with the Environmental Protection Agency website and their statistics on landfill use in United States you’ll see that they refer to what we might call trash as “municipal solid waste” or MSW. According to their statistics the amount of MSW generated is equal to about 5 pounds for every person in the United States. In 2018 that all added up to 292 million tons of waste. All that waste, unless it is recycled, has to go somewhere and that usually ends up in one of the many landfill areas in our country.

As the population of the United States grows so does the output of MSW and as the EPA shows on their website, has increased from about 200 million tons in 1990 to almost 300 million tons as of 2018. A significant portion of MSW was recycled, about 69 million tons.  Paper and paper products were the most highly-recycled substances at about 67% and metals made up about 13%. 13% of 69 million tons is nothing to sneeze at and we are proud  at TM Scrap Metals that we could contribute to this percentage of recycled materials.

We like to say it’s a win-win situation for us as well as our customers, and of course the environment. Our customers who bring scrap metal such as copper, brass, aluminum or wire to be recycled  are paid for these scrap metals so there is some financial benefit. As a scrap metal dealer in Los Angeles of course we make our own profit on the exchange. And finally, metals that can be recycled (and we are talking about tons of metals) do not take up space in our nations landfills.   The longer we can delay having to use new land for MSW disposal is a benefit to everybody in our community.

We encourage everyone in the greater Los Angeles area to make use of our Burbank recycling center and bring your scrap metals to us. Once again we remind you that we also offer mobile recycling so if you can come to us, we can certainly come to you, pick up your access scrap metals and bring them back to our metal recycling yard in Sun Valley. We’ll continue to recycle and you do your part by bringing your scrap metals to us.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Scrap metal recycling centers use various tools to determine what kind of metals have been delivered to them. One of the most basic tools is a magnet. A magnet can be used to determine whether the metal is ferrous or nonferrous.

Ferris metals include things like iron or steel. These are very plentiful metals and as such they’re not going to bring the same price at a scrap metal recycling center that nonferrous metals would. Examples of nonferrous metals are copper or aluminum. Metals like this bring higher prices for a number of reasons including the fact that they are more conductive to electricity, are corrosion resistant and are lighter than metals like steel or iron.

A Los Angeles scrap metal recycling center will use other tools determine what types of metal are being delivered to them, and some of these tools are quite sophisticated. For you, the seller of scrap metal, it may be advantageous to separate some of the scrap metals you have on hand before bringing them to the scrap metal recycling center near you. At the most basic level you can at least see what type of metal you have on hand with the help of a magnet. The magnet need not be expensive or sophisticated. Any old refrigerator magnet is going to stick to a ferrous metal like steel, but slide off nonferrous metal like copper or aluminum.

If you’re interested in how a scrap metal dealer determines what type of metals he’s dealing with you can check out this article on vericheck.net which goes into some greater detail.  Just be aware, however, that some metals such as the nonferrous metals copper, brass, aluminum, etc. are going to have a higher value then steel or iron. Also, the price of the metal will vary from day to day so be sure to check out TM Scrap Metals’ metal pricing page to see what the latest approximate price per pound or ton of any particular metal is.

If you’re looking for a Burbank area scrap metal recycling center for your LA scrap needs, look no further than TM Scrap Metals.

http://www.tmscrapmetals.com