The metal recycling market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% from 2020 to 2025, fueled by the high demand for steel and the rapid urbanization and industrialization of countries. Scrap metal has value and can be recycled over and over again without altering its properties.
Recycling metal is also a lucrative way for preppers to give new life to waste and earn money for the future. By recycling, you spend less, save more and prepare yourself for any adversity.
This is a versatile material that can be reused and transformed in useful items. From metal cans to coat hangers, everything can be reused. For example, you can use metal cans as containers to store or cook food, as improvised trip wires and alarms. Coat hangers can be used to improvise a grill to cook your food, or you can make traps to catch small animals. Every metal item can be bent, drilled, cut or melted to be reused and given a new purpose.
I’ve noticed there is a trend of building your own foundry at home. People are making various blades and other items such as arrow tips. Using metal items helped the ancient humans evolve into the modern age and it will help us survive, long after the modern technology is no longer working. This is one of the most versatile and durable materials that we can reuse. You can do everything with it as long as you acquire the proper knowledge on how to transform it.
Scrap Metals Are A Potential Source Of Income
Many people might not know that scrap metal can be exchanged for cash payment. Scrap metals may include copper, steel, brass, iron, aluminum, gold and silver. By reusing and recycling, you help reduce waste that goes to the landfill and lower energy use needed to produce new materials. In addition, you can earn cash when you bring scrap metal to the recycling center.
A recycling company that buys scrap metal will re-purpose it to be used in the production of appliances and devices, and to build homes, structures, vehicles and plumbing materials. Instead of mining virgin ore, using recycled metal helps conserve natural resources, protecting the planet and offering an alternative source of income for preppers.
Separate Your Metals
It pays to know the value of the metals you have lying around your home or your business before heading to the recycling center or scrap metal yards. For example, construction companies are likely to have lots of steel beams, while plumbers might possess old or broken copper pipes and brass fixtures. If you’re an electrician, you might need to dispose of old wires and electrical equipment.
At home, your broken fridge can be sold for scrap metal. However, scrap dealers won’t buy a refrigerator if the freon has not been removed. If you want to get the maximum value for an old fridge, check first if there are no important parts that are being sold online.
It is highly possible that you can make more money from selling parts of the fridge, but if this is not an option, you can strip the fridge yourself before selling it for scraps. Some of the metals that you can remove from a broken fridge include copper lines, aluminum sheets and steel from the motor.
Know The Value Of Scrap Metals
Copper is one of the most valuable metals from e-waste around your home that can bring you money. If it is in a good condition, the copper that you can get from your stripped appliances is reddish in color and can fetch up to $2 per pound according to Metalary.com.
Brass is also present in a lot of objects that are found in homes, such as candlesticks, plates, door knockers and handles, and bed frames.
Other metals that are of value in the scrap yard include aluminum, stainless steel, iron, silver and gold. Computers, gaming consoles, bike frames, and some car parts contain significant amounts of aluminum, while stainless steel can be found in kitchen appliances, automotive parts and machinery. Lead scrap is also profitable, but may be difficult to transport as it is heavy. In addition, it is highly toxic.
Recycling metals and selling them for scrap can be a profitable way to earn extra money and save for the apocalypse. It also helps the environment because less waste is dumped into landfills, and the use of non-renewable resources is reduced, lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
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