Recycling of metals can pay well depending on how much you have and the type of metal it is. As we wrote many times before, nonferrous metals are going to have a bigger payout  compared to ferrous metals. Copper continues to be one metal  that pays the  most  per pound. That brings us to the subject of pennies. These ubiquitous copper coated coins remind everybody about copper since that’s what we see when we hold one in our hands, but is it worth it to recycle these one cent pieces? Not really, and here’s why.

Way back when the United States was first formed and Benjamin Franklin was in charge design and minting of coins, that first penny was made of 100% copper. Given enough of these pennies, they could easily be melted down and recycled. Of course we’re talking about pennies that are now over 200 years old and are worth more as coins in the ever would be as recycled metal.

In the years since our country’s founding, however, the composition of our pennies is changed. Just after the Civil War the composition changed from 100% copper to 95% copper and 5% zinc. Fast forward to the late 20^th Century and up to today that ratio has flipped and our modern-day pennies are more than 95% zinc and less than 5% copper. On a side note you may once in a while find a penny that has no copper. These were produced during World War II when the government needed as much copper as possible.

Trying to salvage copper from today’s pennies would probably take more effort than it’s worth given the low copper content. When all is said and done the answer is no. It’s not worth taking a wheelbarrow of pennies to your local recycling center. You’re better off taking them to your local grocery store or pharmacy that has a Coinstar machine and turning them in for a cash payout.

Other forms of  copper are of course still in demand and if you have copper pipes or other plumbing fixtures, pots and pans that  are past their prime, or anything else made of that metal, it’s worth bringing it to a metal recycling center like TM Scrap Metals.

On a note that’s unrelated to metal recycling, it may just pay extremely well to go through that piggy bank or jar of old coins and take a look at every single penny. Some extremely valuable coins have been found in circulation decades or centuries after they were first minted.  If you find one that looks a little different from today’s modern penny, even though it may be the same size and weight, hold onto it and check out valuable coins online before you take it to your nearest Coinstar machine.

Otherwise, if it’s metal, odds are it can be recycled. If you’re in Los Angeles area the one name you need to remember for metal recycling is TM Scrap Metals.  We may not take your pennies but we will pay top dollar!

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Stainless steel scrap is an item we regularly see in our Los Angeles metal recycling yard. As we detailed in earlier metal recycling posts one of the values stainless steel is that other metals such as nickel can be gotten from it during the recycling process. Here in the United States, stainless steel production relies on as much as 80% recycled material. Other countries such as India also have high percentage of recycled stainless steel in their production. According to Recycling Today, however, China has a different system and uses much less recycled stainless steel.

That means that the market for scrap stainless steel in China is going to be much less than countries such as the United States. As Recycling Today states in their article, China is very dependent on nickel pig iron in their stainless production and as a result uses only about 25% of scrap stainless steel as feedstock.

Scrap Stainless Steel Prices May Drop With Electrics

Another interesting fact regarding the future of stainless steel prices comes from the fact that there is a big, global push for all electric cars. Compared to internal combustion vehicles, electric cars will not use as much stainless steel and them since the majority of these metals are found in the exhaust system of internal combustion vehicles.

We will have to keep an eye on the stainless steel scrap market in the future, however for now, in the United States, and certainly in Los Angeles area, stainless steel scrap can be a profitable metal to take to the scrap metal dealer. For more in-depth information about this, please read the recycling today article and its entirety.  If, however, you simply want the best price for your scrap stainless steel and want to bring it to the nearby recycling center, bring it to TM Scrap Metals on Tuxford Street in Sun Valley, just across the border from Burbank. 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

“Scrap metal prices” is a popular search online. That’s because the scrap metal recycling Industry is quite popular. Metal recycling facilities like ours don’t get a lot of press, but those who know understand that money to be made from recycling old, scrap metal. That search is popular especially for scrappers, because prices will fluctuate for someone who’s looking to make cash from scrap metal and it’s important to try to get the best price available.

So what are some of the things that can cause fluctuations in the prices of scrap metal?  Our sister company in Vermont, Bolduc Metal Recycling, has a very interesting article that goes into detail about all these factors. We paraphrase it here.

The first reason for fluctuation in scrap metal prices is supply and demand. This is one of the bedrock economic reasons for any commodities price to fluctuate. Anytime there is a greater supply than there is demand for a product or service, the price will go down. That, apparently, is the case with scrap metal.  More and more scrappers are entering the industry which means more supply and lower prices. Scrap metal prices are tied to elements of the economy such as housing or construction. For example when there is a period of new building in a locality, the demand for building materials such as scrap steel f\or scrap aluminum we’ll go up, driving the prices of those metals up as well.

Another factor is the stockpiled levels of various metals around the world. Those countries that have significant supplies of various metals don’t need to purchase more. They are self-sufficient in this respect. Conversely, when a country or city does not have enough of a certain type of metal that will drive the price up because they’ll need to buy those metals.

One aspect you may not have thought of–and this concerns the trading or acquisition of scrap metals internationally–is the exchange rate for certain currencies. The Bolduc article gives the example of Indonesia and Vietnam which both have weaker currencies. Countries like these frequently look to different scrap metal providers for better prices. When they change suppliers it can cause scrap metal prices to fluctuate around the world.

Scrap Metal Pricing in Los Angeles

In areas like Los Angeles, scrap metal recycling centers abound and there’s lots of competition so this may cause prices to go down in heavily populated urban areas. There are any number of factors that can influence scrap metal pricing but you can always call TM Scrap Metals for the latest updates before you bring your scrap metals for cash. And remember,we have mobile recycling and can come to you! 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

“Stainless steel scrap prices” is a popular search on Google.  A few thousand people search for this term each month. It’s not hard to determine why. Although a common metal stainless steel is important invaluable because it’s made up other metals that in and of themselves are valuable. Think about nickel for molybdenum. Yesterday we wrote a brass scrap prices because the mental fetches a good price per pound but stainless steel is also a good metal to recycle.

Many scrappers that come through our doors are repeat customers and they have extensive experience in metal recycling. However, if you’re just getting into scrapping and you’re looking for a Burbank recycling center, probably one of the first things you’ll do is look up the price of stainless steel scrap. There are a number of websites available that list scrap metal prices (in indeed TM Scrap Metals has its own scrap metal pricing page)  you’ll probably run into a site like scrapmonster.com which List the various metal prices and compares things like prepared versus unprepared scrap.

Taking a look at their continuously updated list you can see that unprepared stainless steel scrap goes for about $.22 per pound where is prepared stainless steel scrap fetches about $.45 per pound. There’s a difference on the order of 50% between prepared and unprepared stainless steel and the question arises, are you as the seller of scrap metal, willing to do what it takes to prepare the metal you want to recycle?

It’s the same principle that we touched on when talking about wire recycling. TM Scrap Metals, as a scrap metal dealer, is equipped to strip insulated copper wire, whereas most people you don’t have the equipment, the time or both and would simply prefer to bring in the unprepared scrap metal–for example insulated copper wire–and leave the wire recycling to us. The same question remains when you’re talking about stainless steel scrap. Do you have the time or the desire to prep it?

At our scrap metal yard there are a number methods you can choose from when selling your scrap metal to us. They range from the easiest–absolutely hands off, we take care of everything–to the more labor intensive do-it-yourself options. The choice is up to you. No matter what, our recycling center will still pay top prices in the Los Angeles scrap metal market.

If you’ve got stainless steel scrap to sell, contact TM Scrap Metals the number one name in Los Angeles scrap metal recycling. 818-771-0510.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Recycling centers such as TM Scrap Metals have a system in place to quickly and efficiently recycle the various metals our customers bring to us. Others have codified this process such as this small business website that does a good job of explaining the steps, but in brief, metal recycling can be broken down into around 6 steps.

First, there is the Collection phase. This entails individuals or businesses bringing their scrap metal to a recycling center such as TM Scrap Metals. As stated on thebalancesmb.com site metal from scrap vehicles is the largest source of scrap ferrous metal in the United States.

Two: After delivery and collection of metals comes the sorting phase. As you can probably imagine having a bunch of metals all in the same pile is not going to do anyone any good. The metals need to be separated one from another and this is accomplished through sorting. There are many different methods and tools a scrap metal yard may employee to sort different metals, and we have alluded to some of those such as using a magnet. Some metals have a distinct color such as copper and are easy–or easier–to separate from other metals. Another concern at this step is the separation of clean from dirty metals.  Clean metals which come without blemishes or foreign substances on them obviously will bring a higher price those that do have those things.

The third step is called processing. At a scrap metal yard all different types and sizes of metal objects may come through our gates. In order to facilitate the next step– Melting–a shredder maybe used to turn metal objects into smaller pieces. Smaller pieces of metal melt at a quicker rate and it’s therefore more efficient, which saves money.

Fourth phase as we mentioned is melting and each metal melts at a different temperature. This means specific metals will go to specific furnaces  with temperatures designed to mount those specific metals. After the melting phase comes purification. The step is designed to eliminate contaminants in the metal. Once that’s complete and the metal is poured into various molds it enters the sixth phase or solidification. Once hardened into ingots or bars, all of uniform shape, it can be transported to industry to be used in new products.

This is just a brief overview of the process and doesn’t take into account problems and challenges that confront the metal recycling Center. One of those challenges is the complexity of products nowadays and thebalancesmb.com uses the example of the cell phone which contains more than 70 different types of metal.  Extracting every single metal in a cell phone as you can see, is a challenging and difficult process.

Challenges for L.A. Recycling Centers

Other challenges include methods of separation. For example the magnet is useful for separating ferrous metals out of a particular supply—metals like iron or steel. However nonferrous metals such as stainless steel have no magnetic properties and therefore a magnet would have no effect on them. The fact that it doesn’t attract these types of metals does, though, give a scrap metal dealer an idea that metal in question is indeed nonferrous, so in an indirect way of does help with separation.

We hope you can see the complexities that confront recycling centers in Los Angeles and indeed throughout the nation. The various steps in the recycling process may give you an insight into why we pay a certain amount for a specific metal as opposed to another one, or a clean metal versus a dirty one. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred you won’t ever have to think about this, merely bring your scrap metal to us at TM Scrap Metals or have us come to you through our mobile recycling feature. We’ll do the rest and pay cash for your scrap.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com

Scrap metal recycling in Los Angeles is a multimillion dollar industry. You might not think it to look at a run of the mill recycling center. After all, we’re dealing with scrap and turning an old metal object into metal that’s ready for recycling is not the cleanest pursuit. But this isn’t a black tie event. It’s turning something old an unusable into something new. The recycling process, however dirty it may be, ultimately results in a cleaner environment. Ironic isn’t it?

In Los Angeles (indeed the entire Southland) recycling continues to be very popular if not for purely altruistic reasons. It also make financial sense. Recycling scrap metal fills you pocket while leaving landfills unfilled. There are many Los Angeles Recycling centers but we think TM Scrap Metals stands out among the competition for a number of reasons.

First and foremost we’re the friendly recycling center in Los Angeles. We know how it feels to be treated poorly or taken for granted. That’s just bad customer service and it may make a quick buck for some but it doesn’t result in repeat customers so we want you to feel welcome when you bring your scrap metal to us.

For those who prefer to drop their scrap copper or scrap aluminum at our facility we’re located in what we think is a central location. We’re in Sun Valley, CA on the border of Burbank, just off the I-5 freeway. We encourage San Fernando Valley residents in Glendale, Burbank, Van Nuys or La Crescenta to choose us since we’re easily accessible.

However, we service ALL of greater Los Angeles through our mobile recycling feature. No matter where you are in L.A., our staff can come to you to pick up that steel, copper, aluminum, brass or any other metal you want to recycle for cash.  Looking at the image on this page you can see the radius in which we work. We cover much of Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and heck, we can reach Simi Valley or Thousand Oaks.  The point is, we’re mobile so you don’t have to lift a finger to recycle your scrap metal. Let the recycling pros at TM Scrap Metals take care of it all.

Your Los Angeles Recycling Center

When you think of Los Angeles recycling centers, we want TM Scrap Metals to be the first name on you list. Actually, we want it to be the only name since we will be the only scrap metal recycling company in L.A. that you’ll want to deal with. Give us a call and experience the TM Scrap Metals difference.

https://www.tmscrapmetals.com