Recycling- Percentages of Each Metal

[Recyclersteve]

I thought I'd try something new here. For those who have detailed records and are so inclined, I am curious what percent (by weight) of each metal you recycle.

I haven't recycled nearly as much as some of you, but here are my numbers (since 2013- when I first started tracking this):

Copper: 192# (7.0% of total)
Aluminum: 237# (8.7% of total)
Brass: 17# (0.6% of total) (I just never see much brass in the wild) (if anyone has tips where to find it, I'd appreciate knowing)
Stainless Steel: 97# (3.6% of total)
Iron and Steel: 1,539# (56.4% of total)
Other: 649# (23.8% of total) (this was mostly motors and compressors)
TOTAL: 2,731#

I got started on this was when thinking about copper. I don't really buy copper because I find what I need in penny rolls. I started thinking that I didn't really sell any copper either. Then I realized that technically I do sell copper. And that simple thought got me started.

[hobo finds]

Since 2008 weight %

78% steel
9% alum
8% copper
3% brass/lead/stainless/zinc
2% plastic
>1% ewaste

[hobo finds]

Now the interesting part is the amount of these pounds to the cash made at the scrapyard.

Since 2008 Cash %

36% Steel
28% Alum
24% Copper
9% Brass, Lead, Stainless, Zinc
2% Ewaste
1% Plastic

So steel sucks price wise but it all adds up! So if you are passing up steel in order to get the high value stuff you may be leaving some money behind!

[natsb88]

Since 2010

Aluminum 2961 lbs 58.2%
Copper 12 lbs 0.2%
Steel 1677 lbs 32.9%
Stainless Steel 436 lbs 8.6%
Other 5 lbs <0.1%
Total 5091 lbs

I failed to keep track of e-scrap but I've only done that once or twice, maybe 150 pounds or so.

[Recyclersteve]

Wow- very impressive. Thanks guys. The problem for me with steel is that I have just an average sized SUV and can't take big steel items such as metal desks and refrigerators. Something made of steel that is flat and very heavy is something I'd be interested in, but a load of just steel doesn't make the trip to the scrap yard worthwhile for me. I need to have some copper and/or aluminum mixed in to justify the driving time.

[natsb88]

I'm going to have to make a couple trips to the yard soon. I'm running out of 55 gallon drums for turnings (and places to store them ). I use my Tahoe and a 5x10 trailer. The yard I go to now is only a few miles away. They don't pay quite as well on some things, but the next closest yard is an additional ~30 minutes of driving in each direction which negates getting a few more cents per pound. Most of the scrap I get is generated at work or by family members. I don't go out looking for it, it mostly comes to me.

[Recyclersteve]

BEFORE TODAY:

Copper: 192# (7.0% of total)
Aluminum: 237# (8.7% of total)
Brass: 17# (0.6% of total) (I just never see much brass in the wild) (if anyone has tips where to find it, I'd appreciate knowing)
Stainless Steel: 97# (3.6% of total)
Iron and Steel: 1,539# (56.4% of total)
Other: 649# (23.8% of total) (this was mostly motors and compressors)
TOTAL: 2,731#

TOTALS INCLUDING TODAY (OVER 1,100# OF COMPRESSOR/COIL ASSEMBLIES TURNED IN TODAY):

Copper: 205# (5.2% of total)
Aluminum: 268# (6.8% of total)
Brass: 17# (0.4% of total) (I just never see much brass in the wild) (if anyone has tips where to find it, I'd appreciate knowing)
Stainless Steel: 97# (2.4% of total)
Iron and Steel: 1,539# (38.8% of total)
Other: 1,839# (46.4% of total) (this was mostly compressors/coil assemblies and motors)
TOTAL: 3,965#

[hobo finds]

More detailed weight list of items scrapped since 2008

steel / prepared / torch / clean sheet iron / unprepared / sheet iron / shred / light iron / white goods / CRV / propane tanks 90,557 lbs.

aluminum can / UBC / CRV 1,841 lbs.
aluminum rims clean 80 lbs.
aluminum extruded clean 2,083 lbs.
aluminum mlc clean / clean sheet / alum radiators clean 764 lbs.
aluminum cast clean 993 lbs.
aluminum paint clean 1,888 lbs.
dirty aluminum / furnace aluminum / bi metal can / CRV 2,939 lbs.
transmissions 319 lbs.

#1 copper / wire 6 lbs.
#2 copper 243 lbs.
#1 ins wire / romex / thnn 79 lbs.
Cu/Alum clean radiators AC & Auto 138 lbs.
#2 ins wire and cat5 2,435 lbs.
elect mot / transformer 4,758 lbs.
Xmas lights 128 lbs.
compressor / sealed unit 1,270 lbs.
copper content / ballasts / coax 495 lbs.

yellow brass clean 575 lbs.
dirty brass / dirty brass/zinc door knobs 167 lbs.
stainless steel clean 697 bs.
lead clean / wheel weights 59 lbs.
auto batteries lead acid 999 lbs.
die cast zinc clean 304 lbs.
dirty stainless steel 306 lbs.

#1 plastic bottles CRV/Other 1,122 lbs.
#2 plastic natural jug CRV/Other 86 lbs.
glass jars / bottles CRV/Other 578 lbs.
colored #2 plastic jug CRV/Other 115 lbs.
Cardboard 65 lbs.
paper 493 lbs.

Ink cartridges shipped out 7 lbs.
Ewaste shipped out 204 lbs.
Green Boards 43 lbs.
NiCad / NiMh Batteries 11 lbs.
Brown Boards 230 lbs.


Categories have changed thru the years some items no longer being bought or are reclassified as how they buy it.

[Recyclersteve]

Wow- that's over 100,000 lbs. or recyclable stuff!

And 572# of brass- I wasn't sure there was that much in the entire world!

[hobo finds]

Lots of brass out there, sink fixtures, plumbing parts, the pins on plug ends, pool pumps!