Aluminum Scrap Recycling – How to Identify Aluminum?
An aluminum recycling center is where you can sell unwanted aluminum items. Why do we value aluminum so much? Due to its chemical and physical properties, this material is widely used across many industrial sectors, including transportation, construction, electronics, and high-tech gadgets. Aluminum is resistant to moisture, UV radiation, and harsh weather conditions. It’s also incredibly flexible and lightweight, earning the nickname “metal of the future.”
Here are a few rules to help you identify aluminum at a recycling center:
- Steel scrap is about four times heavier than aluminum scrap.
- Aluminum heats up much faster than steel and also cools down quicker.
- Like all non-ferrous metals, aluminum is not magnetic.
- Aluminum has a soft structure and is a lightweight metal.
- Steel appears darker than aluminum.
- Aluminum has a delicate sheen but is the most matte of the metals.
- When filed, aluminum’s interior is white, while copper will appear orange or red, and brass will look yellow.
- Nickel-chromium metals produce sparks during mechanical grinding (e.g., with an angle grinder), whereas aluminum does not.
Price of Aluminum Scrap – What Influences Aluminum Prices?
The price of aluminum scrap depends on supply and demand. Key factors include technological advancements and the growing demand for aluminum in various sectors. Additionally, the geopolitical situation, such as the conflict in Ukraine, impacts aluminum prices.
It’s estimated that 95% of aluminum products are recycled, giving them a “second life” across various industries.
What Items Are Commonly Recycled as Aluminum Scrap?
Some of the most common items include:
- Aluminum rims,
- Tools and automotive parts,
- Components from heating and installation systems,
- Blinds and shutters,
- Cables,
- And, of course, aluminum cans.
Looking for the current aluminum scrap price? Click here: Scrap Prices.
Visit Metkom Scrap Yards in Dębica, Rzeszów, Mielec, and Radom.
Aluminum Scrap – How Many Cans Make a Kilogram?
The most popular form of aluminum scrap is beverage cans. In Poland, over 400 million aluminum cans are consumed annually. Many people don’t realize that aluminum can be recycled and reused indefinitely. On average, about 56 aluminum cans are needed to make up one kilogram of aluminum scrap.
What Are the Waste Codes for Aluminum?
Aluminum waste is classified based on its origin:
- 12 01 03 or 12 01 04 – Aluminum chips and shavings from production.
- 17 04 02 – Waste from renovations (buildings, etc.).
- 19 12 03 – Waste from mechanical waste processing.
- 16 02 16 – Aluminum from electronics.
- 16 01 18 – Aluminum from vehicles.
- 15 01 04 – Aluminum packaging.
Does Your Company Have a Large Quantity of Aluminum Scrap?
Contact us to get a personalized offer. We’re here to help! For more details, reach out to Metkom Scrap Yards.