Aluminum is one of the most commonly used materials our world relies on today. Global aluminum production rose from 42.4 million tons in 2011 to 65.3 million tons in 2020 — and if continued demand is any indicator, we will only seek more of this lightweight-yet-durable resource.  Derived from bauxite ore and refined from a process known as electrolysis, it is much more efficient to recycle aluminum than it is to mine it. In fact, 90% of the energy it takes to produce new aluminum is saved by recycling, which is why reusing it is so essential.  When most of us think of aluminum recy ..read more

One of the most commonly recycled metals is an alloy called brass — a combination of copper and zinc with many useful properties. You likely use brass on a daily basis, whether you recognize it or not. This article will help you learn to recognize common examples of brass and be a better, smarter recycler. What does brass look like? Brass is typically yellow-gold in color, and the color of your brass can tell you about its copper and zinc content. More copper results in a redder shade, while more zinc leads to a more silverish tone. As a result, brass can range from reddish gold or bright go ..read more

Electronics might not be the first thing that jumps to mind when you think of recycling. As a matter of fact, the devices you rely on every day are easy to recycle. Think about how often you upgrade or replace things like your cell phone, laptop, computer. Now think about all the cables, chargers, and accessories those electronics come with. That adds up to a lot of e-waste!  The longer a device can be used, the better. Reducing e-waste means getting the most life out of our devices while they’re still useful, and once they’re done, recycling what’s left so new devices can be ..read more

There’s recyclable metal all around you, and the two main types are ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals generally contain little if any iron and mostly come from minerals, sometimes alloyed or refined through a process known as electrolysis.  The scrap value of non-ferrous metal is typically higher on a pound-for-pound basis than ferrous metal, which is traded in tons, not pounds. This means it’s useful to know some examples of non-ferrous metals and how to identify them before visiting a non-ferrous scrap dealer with your recycling. How To Identify Non-Ferrous Scrap Meta ..read more

There are recyclable items everywhere around you, and recycling them can bring money into your pockets while making the environment cleaner. Each year, tons of scrap are recycled — in 2020, about 4.5 million metric tons of steel alone. Steel is a ferrous metal, and just like its more valuable non-ferrous counterparts, it’s highly reusable and can be sold to scrap yards.  How is ferrous metal different from non-ferrous metal? It contains iron, so it attracts magnets and will rust when exposed to oxygen. Examples are carbon steel, cast iron, sheet iron, light iron, stainless steel, and all ..read more

Chances are, you already know that anything made out of metal can be recycled. But you may not realize that a surefire sign something has recyclable metal in it is when it uses a motor. That means everything from your old leaf blower to your broken desk fan.  If you’re confused about exactly how electric motor recycling works, don’t worry. This article will guide you through the four types of motorized objects that you can bring to the scrap yard.  What Kinds of Motorized Items Can You Recycle? You can recycle any item that has a motor in it. The blades attached to the motor can be ..read more

Recycling scrap metal is great for the environment. Recycling metal and repurposing it to make other products saves energy and cuts greenhouse gas emissions, but it can also be good for your wallet. Scrap metal is something that manufacturers rely on and always have a need for, and scrap recyclers like Cohen buy metal from the public to be processed and sold for manufacturing Here is the lowdown on what your high quality metals may be worth.  ‌ How Scrap Metal Recycling Works ‌Scrap metal is sorted and processed at a scrap yard where machinery is used to prepare it for its next destinati ..read more

Small appliances are helpful for everyday use. They will help you to cook faster and even fire up devices around you. Blenders, toasters, grinders, food processors, water softeners, electric kettles, coffee makers, and others are built to last, and depending on how heavily you use them, they will – but not forever. Meanwhile, each new generation of appliances boasts more convenient features, leading many people to upgrade even before their old appliances are ready to be retired for good.  ‌Whatever your reason for getting rid of your old appliance, the day will come when you have to deci ..read more

When large appliances become old and inoperable, getting rid of them can seem like a hassle. If improperly disposed of, these appliances (also known as white goods) can pose serious problems to the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that about 9 million refrigerators and freezers end up in the dump each year.  However, most of these appliances still have some value — even if they’re no longer functional — since they contain recyclable metals and materials. Recycling is not only good for the environment, it also allows for manufacturers to use repurposed part ..read more

Of all the resources our world consumes, few are more vital than metal, and few are easier to recycle. Unlike many other materials, metal can be repeatedly scrapped and recycled, reducing the need for carbon-intensive mining. There’s probably a metal recycling facility near you, even if you don’t know where it is. As efficient as the metal recycling process is, scrap metal purchasers still face a major obstacle in their collection: proper identification of the metals they receive. A wide variety of non-ferrous metals can be repurposed, and ferrous metals like iron and steel are also highly r ..read more