When dealing with scrap metal and debris from your recent project, you must know you’re dealing with the leftover metals properly. In many regions, improper disposal, storage, and debris management can lead to fines and penalties. Whether you are performing home renovations or part of large-scale construction companies, you must ensure proper handling of scrap metal waste.
It’s not enough to have all the permits in place. Scrap metal waste management needs to be carefully and deliberately performed. From recycling simple aluminum siding to large household appliances and industrial remnants, we will walk you through the methods used by professional scrap metal recycling facilities to showcase how important the process is. When you’re ready to begin, call us, and we’ll ensure that your metal scrap is handled with all of the experience and knowledge of an industry leader!
Avoiding Adverse Health Effects of Hazardous Materials
Always wear proper safety gear when dealing with metal shavings, sharp or jagged pieces of scrap, heavy metals, and other harmful or toxic materials. Heavy metals include lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium. Mercury can be easily identified since it is liquid at room temperature, but other metals should be carefully handled. Electronic scrap and E-waste often have these materials inside and should be sent to facilities that specifically handle this waste.
Some people mistakenly toss hazardous waste into waste management containers with scrap metal recycling. This disposal method can be bad for the environment, is not allowed in our dumpster rentals,and is very dangerous for laborers. Safety should be taken seriously when handling loose scrap metal and other materials. Always wear scratch—and puncture-proof gloves and a filtered mask if metal dust is expected.
Storing Scrap Metal for Recycling
When you store scrap metal, it should be out of sight, easily reachable, and secured. For small-scale productions, a shed, barn, or cellar can be viable for storing in preparation for scrap metal recycling. On larger scales, warehouses, and storage units might better suit your scrap metal waste management needs. Another option for managing the scrap metal recycling process is scrap metal bin rentals that can be easily moved to the nearest scrap metal recycling facility. Large-scale containers and dumpsters are ideal for construction and deconstruction projects.
When you work and produce scrap metal, you must store and manage it properly. There are risks and dangers to improper management, like thieves, damage to the property, or even simply creating an eyesore. Electronic waste, automotive scrap, and copper are all high-value scrap metal recycling that are often targeted by thieves who will take scrap metals to recycling centers that will buy these metals.
Identifying Scrap Metal for Recycling
Sometimes, a metal recycling facility will not take certain materials or prefers visitors identify their materials for proper disposal into a scrap metal bin. Identification of raw materials can be tricky, but if you don’t know for sure what your materials are, here are a few methods of identification:
- Color: Some metals are more distinctively colored than others. Copper is a very recognizable reddish-brown color that stands out. Scraping away oxidized layers might help you see the unaltered metal within.
- Magnetism: Ferrous metals, which contain iron, are common types of metals that some recycling facilities will reject or accept based on their equipment. If a magnet sticks to your scrap, you have ferrous metals. If not, they are likely non-ferrous metals like aluminum.
- Hardness: Scrap metals are likely already in a state of disrepair, so using a mill file or chisel can help you identify an item by its hardness. Pure copper and cast iron are relatively soft and flake more easily when filed or chiseled. Aluminum, steel, and malleable iron are much more complex.
- Oxidation: When copper and bronze materials corrode, they produce a green-colored layer of oxidation. Red or brown rust is common to untreated or weaker iron alloys, while a lack of oxidation indicates aluminum or stainless steel scrap.
As one last indication of materials, you can consider the location and use of the materials before scrapping. Brass is common in home furnishings and decorations, while copper is usually used in electrical wiring and water pipes. The most common types of metal parts are steel or aluminum, thanks to their strength, durability, and recyclability.
Following Proper Scrap Metal Disposal Methods
The best way to dispose of your recycled scrap metal is to bring it to a licensed and certified recycling facility. Â Renting a scrap metal dumpster can significantly simplify the process. Waste management is a logistical difficulty that should be taken seriously. While there are apparent legal ramifications for improper waste management and improper disposal, your reputation and environment can also be damaged.
By working with a waste management company, you can better transport and monitor your waste creation and dispose of it properly. Your company’s environmental impact can be heavily influenced by the businesses you work with and the processes you adhere to. Every scrap metal recycling process should begin with the three Rs – reduce, reuse, recycle.
Helping the Community by Recycling Scrap Metal
When you work within a community, you should work with all people within it. When you recycle scrap metal by bringing it to a legitimate facility, you inject that material back into the community for use in projects big and small, from local artists working with reclaimed goods to small tradespeople making furniture or home goods from recycled metals.
Because new metal and virgin materials can be expensive and difficult to come by, providing your local recycling scrap metal facilities with resources can be one of the simplest ways to use less energy in transport, keep landfills smaller, and ensure that your community is free of unsightly scrap metal waste.
Solve Your Waste Management Needs with the Professionals!
You don’t want to spend all that time going back and forth from a scrap metal recycling facility. Your business isn’t in waste management – but ours is. Let us help you with the equipment and regulations knowledge needed to keep your construction project on time and with minimum waste. Scrap metal and recyclable metals are heavy, and scrap metal may quickly gather throughout your work. For this reason, we at Cobblestone Waste Management are committed to helping manage waste.
Scrap metal waste management needs to be taken seriously. Scrap metal recyclers are critical to multiple industries, providing increased efficiency and opportunities to better the environment. Don’t be left out of this crucial part of the metal scrap ecosystem. Get a scrap metal recycling bin and ensure professionals handle your metal scraps!
