Got a mountain of scrap metals and don’t know where to begin?

A large amount of scrap metals can be overwhelming and even turn some people off from cashing in on their scrap all together. Don’t let an organizational nightmare keep you from making money on what would otherwise end up in the dumpster.

With a few simple steps, you’ll be such a scrap metal organizing pro that even Marie Kondo will be impressed.

Let’s get started.

1. Take some time to educate yourself on some commonly scrapped metals to get a better idea of what you have. No need to be an expert, but the more you know the better and easier your organization will be.

• To get the most out of your trip to the scrap yard, separating pieces by type is the best way to ensure you get the best price. That means identifying the metal you have and using some basic organizational skills. Don’t let this be overwhelming. Even separating into simple categories could go a long way toward getting great value for your metals.

• If you have a large amount of wires to scrap, sort them into groups of stripped and insulated wires. For thick, insulated wires that measure around a centimeter or two, you may want to consider stripping them to get to the bare metal inside. However, as a rule, if an insulated wire is very thin, it won’t be worth your time to remove the insulation.

• Computer scrap metal can be very valuable and at times very plentiful as technology continues to grow and evolve. Some parts that are still functional can be sold as-is for a higher price, while others that are broken can be sold for scrap. Here’s a pro tip: If you’re finding a lot of computers or parts, section them out so you have all motherboards in one place, all hard drives in another, and so on.*

• Copper is by far the most valuable material when scrap recycling. Cleaning off paint, rust, or other contaminants from your copper can increase the value of the metal, and sorting your clean copper from those pieces that aren’t will keep your most valuable materials from being lumped together as a lower priced metal.

• Not sure if you have steel or iron? Many times, steel and iron can look very similar to stainless steel or aluminum. To see the difference, use a magnet. If the magnet holds, you’ve got steel or iron, which are more valuable. If not, you may be looking at aluminum or stainless steel.

Scrap Metal Recycling in East Tennessee

Scrap metal recycling doesn’t have to be a complicated chore. With a little know-how, a simple plan, and basic organization, you can turn scrap metal into cash. Here at Roane Metals Group, we buy a wide range of metals. If you have scrap metal that you’re ready to cash in, come by one of our two conveniently located scrap yards in East Tennessee.

To find out more about recycling your scrap, give us a call at 865-354-4282 today.