Homeowners Guide to Metal Recycling at wTe Recycling, Inc.
Scrap metals are divided into two main categories: Ferrous and Non-Ferrous. Ferrous literally means “containing iron”. A magnet will stick to ferrous material, and will not stick to most non-ferrous material. These two main categories are broken down further into grades, some of which are explained below.
We require a minimum of 100 pounds to take a separate weight of a grade. (This does not apply to non-ferrous grades) Smaller quantities of mixed scrap are also accepted and are usually graded as Mixed Iron.
Prices depend on the type of material you have, and on current market conditions. PLEASE NOTE: We will not run a check for loads valued under $1.00. All material must be delivered to our yard. Both our ferrous and Non-Ferrous yards are open Monday – Friday, 7 AM to 4 PM.
All final grading decisions rest with the buyer or the general manager.
COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE MATERIAL:
Due to strict environmental regulations and safety considerations, we must be very careful about what comes into our yard. The following items are completely unacceptable in any grade:
Capacitors, ballast boxes, transformers or any item which may contain PCBs; radioactive, explosive or asbestos-laden material; safes, vaults & safe doors; any hazardous or potentially hazardous substance; paint & stain cans; any item containing liquids; and non-metallics of any kind. Other items, including tanks, drums and appliances have certain restrictions. Please call and ask.
NON-FERROUS GRADES:
We buy all types of non-ferrous metals. Items for this category which you are likely to have in your garage or basement may include: copper pipe and wire, aluminum windows and siding, brass fittings or fixtures, auto batteries, lead wheel weights, auto radiators, heater cores and small electric motors.
We buy many other Non-Ferrous grades – call and ask to speak to a buyer.
Separate material according to the type of metal and we will weigh each grade at our Non-Ferrous warehouse. PLEASE NOTE: the 100 lb. minimum for each grade does not apply to Non-Ferrous grades. Our Non-Ferrous warehouse is located 28 Montague City Road, just south of Surner Oil.
FERROUS GRADES:
Ferrous grades are divided by type of material or by the size and thickness of the steel.
Cast Iron should be separated from tin and steel. There are three main cast iron grades:
- MIXED CAST includes cast iron bath tubs and sinks (a thin porcelain coating is acceptable), cast iron radiators (old steam radiators), cast iron soil pipe, etc. NO MOTOR BLOCKS/AUTO CAST
- MACHINE CAST or SCRAP CAST MACHINE include cast iron machine bases and gears, and scrap machines that are primarily cast iron. All oil must be drained prior to delivery. NO MOTOR BLOCKS/AUTO CAST
- DRUMS & ROTORS include any brake drums or brake rotors without attached steel.
Steel is graded by thickness and by size.
#1 Steel must be at least ¼ inch thick. We have two #1 Steel grades: PREPARED #1 STEEL and UNPREPARED #1 STEEL.
#1 PREPARED STEEL must be cut to a maximum of 5’ x 18” x 18”. Each piece should be able to fit into a box that size. If it is larger than 5’ x 18” x 18”, it will be graded as UNPREPARED #1 STEEL. This grade may contain items such as I-beams, angle iron, re-rod and steel plate that are at least ¼ inch thick. It may also contain leaf springs, coil springs, pipe of 3-1/2” diameter or larger, pieces of truck frames (1 ton and larger) or other heavy machinery. This grade may not contain any cable, galvanized material, auto parts (except leaf & coil springs), items with any plastic/rubber or any steel less than ¼” thick. Any closed cylinders must be drained & cut.
MIXED IRON is a mix of two or more grades. It is a common grade for homeowners who don’t have enough scrap to meet the 100 lb. minimum weight requirement for each separate grade. Mixed Iron may contain any items which are acceptable in our main yard or Non-Ferrous yard. However, any mixed load which has more than 25% of light iron baling may be graded as Light Iron Baling.
LIGHT IRON BALING is also a common grade for homeowners. This grade consists of material less than 1/8” thick and may include items which are unacceptable as a Shredder Grade, gas tanks, fencing or cable (must not be loose). Any load which has more than 25% of Light Iron Baling mixed in may be graded as Light Iron Baling. Any Shredder load which contains unacceptable material for the shredder (see Shredder Grades) may be regraded to Light Iron Baling.
SHREDDER GRADES:
Due to environmental and safety considerations, there are certain items which are completely unacceptable at our Auto Shredder. If any of these items are included in Shredder loads, the entire load will be rejected or regraded. (PLEASE NOTE: items marked with an asterisk * are acceptable in other Non-Shredder grades.
UNACCEPTABLE SHREDDER MATERIAL: batteries*, gas tanks*, tires, closed containers & other potentially explosive material such as; barrels, drums, tanks, buckets & pails*, heavy unshreddable scrap*, (non-automotive steel over ¼” thick), cable*, wire & fencing*, trash or non-metallic debris.
AUTOS are accepted if the gas tank*, tires, battery*, mercury switches and any trash are removed prior to delivery. The auto must be delivered on a flatbed or trailer with tires already removed. We cannot accept autos that are towed or driven into our yard and we cannot allow dismantling of any kind in our yard. If you have access to a trailer and would like to bring the auto in yourself, you must complete a bill of sale. Forms are available at the Scale Office. Please pick up the form and complete it before you come onto the scale. Pick-up trucks ¾ ton and under are graded as autos and must be prepared in the same manner. For trucks larger than ¾ ton, prepare the same as autos, but they are usually graded as Mixed Iron or Unprepared #1 Steel depending on the amount of light iron left on the truck.
LIGHT IRON SHRED is generally 1/8” thick or less and must be less than 10’ long. It cannot include any of the items listed under Unacceptable Shredder Material. This grade may include material such as auto body parts, metal cabinets, shelving, lawn furniture, metal sheds, siding, roofing (free of tar), above-ground swimming pools, clean stove pipe, lawn mowers (gas tank and tires removed) and other similar items. This grade may also include items that are #2 Shred.
#2 SHRED includes items thicker than 1/8”, but less than ¼” thick and under 10’ long. It cannot include any of the items listed under Unacceptable Shredder Material. This grade may include pipes (less than ¼” thick, less than 3-1/2” in diameter), auto bumpers, rims, frames, transmissions (alum or cast iron core) and other heavy auto parts: and other steel or angle iron less than ¼” thick.
WHITE GOODS includes mostly household appliances. Acceptable items include washers, dryers, water heaters, dishwashers, stoves. Any appliances that contain Freon (generally refrigerators, air conditioners and dehumidifiers) must be drained by a professional and have a certificate stating such, or be in a condition where it is visible that the appliance does not contain Freon (i.e. no compressor). wTe Recycling, Inc. also provides draining service for $15 per Freon containing item. Cash or check must be paid to the Scale Operator before dropping any of these items off.
IRONY ALUMINUM is a grade of shreddable materials that contain 30% or more aluminum. Common items are aluminum transmissions, small engines, aluminum block engines, automotive heads and intakes. Note that iron block engines do not qualify and are considered #2 Shred. Starters, alternators or other items with copper windings are considered electric motors and are not received as irony aluminum.