How to Recycle Metals

Metal encompasses everything from aluminum foil to clothes hangers, but it can all be recycled in some way. Curbside collection programs often exist for metals like aluminum cans, while other metals have to be taken to a drop-off center like ours that can properly recycle or dispose of the material. The most common metals accepted include copper, steel, aluminum, brass, iron and wires.

When you’re trying to recycle scrap metal it’s important to identify what type of metal you have. The easiest way to determine what type of metal you’re dealing with is to use a magnet. If the magnet sticks to your metal, you have a ferrous metal in your hands, such as steel or iron. If the magnet doesn’t stick, you have a non-ferrous metal, such as copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel or bronze. From there, you can use color, texture and other visual aids to figure out exactly what type of metal you’re dealing with.