The sell prices for all non-ferrous scrap metal has been dropping for several weeks now. All indexes show losses of 10 – 15% including the COMEX and LME. We will see continued softening of the copper, aluminum and stainless steel markets going into June. There remain many global influences that are affecting all scrap metal but the biggest issue is tariffs on finished steel coming out of Turkey and a virtual shutdown of copper products into China.
Matt Gilarde
Recycling Metal Benefits the Environment
According to research conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency, recycling scrap metals can be quite beneficial to the environment. Using recycled scrap metal in place of virgin iron ore can yield:[1]
- 75% savings in energy.
- 90% savings in raw materials used.
- 86% reduction in air pollution.
- 40% reduction in water use.
- 76% reduction in water pollution.
- 97% reduction in mining wastes.
Every ton of new steel made from scrap steel saves:
- 1,115 kg of iron ore.
- 625 kg of coal.
- 53 kg of limestone.
Energy savings from other metals include:
- Aluminium savings of 95% energy.
- Copper savings of 85% energy.
- Lead savings of 65% energy.
- Zinc savings of 60% energy.
Other info from Wikipedia – General info
The metal recycling industry encompasses a wide range of metals. The more frequently recycled metals are scrap steel, iron (ISS), lead, aluminium, copper, stainless steel and zinc. There are two main categories of metals: ferrous and non-ferrous. Metals which contain iron in them are known as ferrous.
Metals without iron are non-ferrous.
- Common non-ferrous metals are copper, brass, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, tin, nickel, and lead.
- Usable coins can be deposited in banks. Damaged US coins can be redeemed for money via the Mutilated Coin Redemption Program.
Non-ferrous metals also include precious and exotic metals:
- Precious metals are metals with a high market value in any form, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals.
- Exotic metals contain rare elements such as cobalt, mercury, titanium, tungsten, arsenic, beryllium, bismuth, cerium, cadmium, niobium, indium, gallium, germanium, lithium, selenium, tantalum, tellurium, vanadium, and zirconium. Some types of metals are radioactive. These may be “naturally occurring” or formed by nuclear reactions. Metals that have been exposed to radioactive sources may also become radioactive in settings such as medical environments, research laboratories, and nuclear power plants.
Let me know when we can get together.
Wayne
Attachments area
Scrap Metal News
April 15th
As the weather has improved the flow of scrap metal both ferrous and non-ferrous grades has increased significantly. This influx of steel scrap specifically has in large part caught up with the demand across the global markets. The demand for the steel scrap slowing has lowered values in both the domestic and foreign steel mills which in turn has lowered prices at the scale for peddlers and commercial customers alike.
The scale prices will reflect this downward movement and projections for the near future are for the market to continue to trend down. All scrap buyers are hopeful that this will be a temporary slide in value and will level out and possibly rebound toward the summer season.
Global influences play a very big role in the ups and downs of scrap metal values and this situation is no different. If the Trump administration and the Chinese government come to an agreement regarding tariffs on goods imported to both countries it would be very positive. This doesn’t need to be a complete solution, even positive steps toward better relations could be all it would take.
Please remember the staff and buyers here at Excel Recycling are available to answer questions and help you achieve the best results when selling your scrap metal.
– Wayne Edwards