When buying equipment for use in marketing metals, it is important to select equipment that will serve the most end markets possible. The price given for baled metals is often the same as that of shredded metals. Most scrap dealers have densified balers. Contaminants A contaminant is any foreign matter introduced into recovered metal that will adversely impact the end product or melting process. Each industrial end market has a list of contaminants included in its material specifications.
Steel When purchasing steel cans, steel mills want only steel cans.
Steel mills will purchase other forms of scrap, but they are considered a different grade and will bring a different price. Some steel markets may accept aerosol cans, paint cans, or glass jar lids. It is important to check with your end market before collecting these items, as their markets are more limited than those for steel food and beverage containers. Aluminum Aluminum made from contaminated cans must be supplemented with larger quantities of virgin aluminum than usual to meet can makers specifications. Metals such as iron, steel, copper, lead, and brass degrade the quality of recovered aluminum used in new can sheet, ultimately reducing the workability of aluminum sheet in can makers plants.