Turn Your Scrap Metal into Cash

Recession has made most of us tighten our belts a little more, and to augment income lost, some of us look for part-time jobs.  Most have also started cutting down on their expenses. These efforts are sometimes not enough though, that we have to look for other means.

However, what most of us do not realize is that if we only look around our home, there are tons of things that we can make money out of. For one, those scraps of metal lying around your backyard and garage could be exchanged for cold hard cash.

What is scrap metal?

The following are types of scrap metal oftentimes seen in a typical home:

Scrap Copper. Simply put, these are the old wires in your home. They are those orangey-red wires that you can see from light switches as well as electrical cords. Your old appliances such as electric fans also have copper coils.

Scrap Iron. These are usually your old appliances, leftover fence wire, pieces of sheet iron, stove casts, etc.

Scrap Brass. They are not that hard to distinguish since they look like gold; that is, if you give it a good polish. Some examples of scrap brass are old door knockers and door knobs as well as old light fixtures.

Scrap Aluminum: This is a no-brainer since you most probably have empty aluminum cans just waiting to be taken to a recycling plant.

Scrap Gold and Silver: These may be your old jewelries such as necklaces and bracelets with broken clasps, an old ring, or mismatched silverware.

Scrap Lead: These may be old lead sheets or lead moldings, some examples of which include roofing materials and gutters.

What can you do with them?

How can you turn scrap metal into cash?

One, you need to know the prices of scrap metal first, and a good online research will do you a lot of good. Scrap copper as well as lead and aluminum will give you more cash than scrap iron. Of course, scrap gold and silver will also fetch you more cash.

Two, visit your local scrap yard. Now, this is where knowing the prices of the different scrap metal will come into play. Scrap yards offer different prices, and the best way to get a good deal is to compare their prices. Some scrap yards also offer to haul the junk for you, while others require that you bring the scrap metal to them.

What else have you gained?

Aside from money, what else have you gained from selling scrap metal to your local scrap yard?

You got to help the environment, of course, so give yourself a little pat on the back for helping save some natural resources. Do not forget to encourage others to do the same though.

You can also turn this into a small-money making business if you have a little capital. You can offer to buy the scrap metal and haul them to the scrap yard yourself. All your "future customers" have to do is to call you up when they have scrap metal to sell. You will be surprised at how many one home can produce. Be sure to get the necessary permits though and make sure that your local city ordinances allow this type of business in your area.

Last, you have just gained more space in your garage!

Jennifer Danino is an organic farmer who is also dedicated to doing her best to help save the environment. To help run her organic farm, she has been selling scrap metal to scrap yards for a little money. In her spare time, she also works as a freelance writer for Coast 2 Coast Carports, a company known for its metal carports and buildings.