Recycled steel calculates out to more than all other recycled materials, including paper and aluminum, combined. Although many people do not realize it, steel's one of the most recycled materials in the entire world.
Scrap steel provides the largest source of raw material for the entire steel industry. Since steel recycling is such a simple process, you can rest assured you're helping cut down on the amount of waste produced.
1. Gather up the recycled steel products you have available. Over time, your business may have collected a large amount of scrap steel. Get an estimate on the amount of steel recycling materials you'll need to drop off.
2. Learn how to recycle steel and the products accepted by recycling centers. You may come across some steel products which are not eligible for recycling.
3. Locate a steel recycling business or center. Within your area, you should have a local steel recycling center that accepts different products. Inquire about recycling stainless steel items as well.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Get the current price of scrap steel
Since you'll want to get a return of your steel, you want to find out the fair market value of scrap steel. Furthermore, look into how much you can make when participating in stainless steel recycling.
I recommend: On
Grede, you can find out an estimate on how much you can make from scrap steel recycling. Check back each month for a price update. When recycling stainless steel, use the pricing tables on
Metal Prices. This site converts stainless steel scrap by weight into dollar amounts.
Contact a steel recycling business
Not all areas have a plethora of companies that accept recycled steel. Some townships allow you to drop off recycled iron and steel at recycling centers, but you may find this more of a hassle. Use online resources to help you find local steel recycling businesses.
I recommend: On the Steel Recycling Institute's locator page, you need to put in some basic information about your location in order to get referred to a scrap
steel recycling facility. You can also find an abundance of resources regarding buying recycled steel on
Buy Recycled.
Earn money from scrap steel recycling
Although you may have altruistic reasons to recycle steel, you'll also want to earn money from the endeavor. Work with companies that not only accept your scrap steel, but also pay out well for the material.
I recommend: If you don't want to go through a steel recycling business to sell your scrap or stainless steel recycling products, post an ad on
RecycleINMe. This site connects buyers and sellers of scrap recycled materials. You can also sell your steel directly through
Apex Pipe.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- For future steel purchases, you should consider buying recycled steel products. Not only can you benefit from knowing your items were made from recycling steel cans, but you can also recycle the product again for scrap iron and steel.
The official source of Steel Recycling is the Steel Recycling page at Business.com