A wide variety of products from home decor to food containers are made of different types of metal. You can recycle these items more often than you may have realized. While aluminum and steel cans are the most widely recognized recyclable metals, you can find recycling centers willing to accept many other metals as well.
Aluminum is one of the most widely accepted metals for recycling. Aluminum soda cans are probably the best recognized source of recyclable aluminum. Some programs will also accept aluminum foil in the same bin. While you’re looking for recyclable aluminum, consider that Hershey’s kisses are also wrapped in this valuable material. Some appliances, car parts and building materials are composed of aluminum as well. While you can’t set these out for curbside recycling, you can take them directly to many recycling centers.
Tin cans are one of the easiest ways to collect recyclable steel around the home. You must be careful, however, because some manufacturers now use materials other than steel for their canned goods, though they may look similar. Look for recycling symbols on the products to indicate the type of material you are working with. Appliances, building materials, and car parts may contain steel as well.
Ferrous metals are those containing iron. The most common type of ferrous metal in regards to household products is steel, but other types of ferrous metals can be recycled as well. These metals can typically be identified with a magnet. Ferrous materials are magnetic while nonferrous materials are not. Everything from pots and pans to construction beams can be composed of ferrous metals. Take these to a scrap-metal recycler in bulk and you may be able to cash in on your recycling efforts.
Nonferrous metals are numerous. Aluminum is one type, but others include copper, cobalt, lead, nickel and zinc. You will need to contact the recycler directly to determine whether these materials are accepted at various locations, but they can be recycled if you find the right place to take them. As with bulk ferrous metals, you can often make money by collecting these metals in large quantities for processors who will reuse them.