What Category Does my Scrap Metal Come Under?

It is important to recycle your scrap metal as by doing so, you contribute to reducing global carbon emissions and dispose of your waste responsibly. Maxilead Metals are renowned for our scrap metal recycling services and can offer a quick, easy and quality assured experience.

Can my scrap metal be recycled?

Pretty much all metals can be recycled, with the only typical exemptions from this rule being radioactive metals and objects containing Mercury but chances are, you won’t be in possession of these kinds of metals anyway. We are also unable to accept gas bottles and beer barrels.

What are the different categories of scrap metal?

Metals are typically divided into two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous and both can be recycled. Ferrous metals are usually lower in value and are predominantly made up of iron mixed with other compounds and elements. Non-ferrous metals are often a lot higher in value and are more malleable than ferrous metals. You can find out more about the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals over on our blog.

What category does my scrap metal fit under?

The easiest way to categorise your metal is by testing its magnetic properties. Simply hold a magnet close to the metal, if it sticks, its likely to be ferrous, if it doesn’t, non-ferrous. For a more detailed insight, keep reading.

Ferrous metals typically include:

  • Engineering steel
  • Carbon steel
  • Cast iron
  • Wrought iron

The most popular ferrous scrap metal objects sent into Maxilead Metals includes the end of life vehicles, household appliances and steel – we have the capacity to recycle it all.

Non-ferrous covers the rest of the metals that do not contain large amounts of Iron. They include:

  • Aluminium
  • Copper
  • Lead
  • Zinc
  • Stainless Steel
  • Cable
  • Brass

The most common items sent for scrap metal recycling that fit under the non-ferrous category are copper/brass boilers and pipes from households and metals derived from other purposes.

For more information on recycling your scrap metals, or for a scrap metal analysis, contact Maxilead Metals here.

Thu, 18 March 2021

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