WHY SCRAP YOUR METAL?
Why Scrap Your Metal?

The Region's Leading Scrap Metal Specialists
Loyally catering to Portland, ME; Boston, MA; Portsmouth, NH & Beyond

At the end of the day, it's easy to discard scrap metal into the trash. That being said, most metals are actually recyclable, and can be used to produce all sorts of new materials. Your junk metal can contribute to a variety of concepts, from new tin cans and packaging materials to machinery components and building foundations. Best of all, you can get paid for recycling your old metal materials!

We urge you to browse the following sections to learn more about our accepted metals. Our team is always standing by to provide an honest quote on your scrap materials. We take great pride in catering to clients throughout Portland, ME; Portsmouth, NH; Boston, MA; and beyond!

Aluminum

Aluminum is a very common and easily recyclable metal; it is often recycled into the same product it was originally used for. In fact, roughly 75% of aluminum products in use today have been around since the 1880s. Unfortunately, aluminum is often discarded rather than recycled. For example, each US citizen consumes at least one beverage from an aluminum can every day, adding up to about 3 million tons of lost aluminum each year.
Aluminum is strong yet lightweight and flexible. It is a great conductor of heat and is an inexpensive metal to use for many purposes. Because of its properties, aluminum is commonly used for the following functions:
  • Window frames
  • Roofs
  • Building foundations
  • High-voltage power lines
  • Automobile engines and wheels
  • Motorcycle components
  • Pots, pans, muffin tins, etc.
  • Cans and foil

Versatile Scrap Metal Services for the Portsmouth, NH & Portland, ME areas

Copper

Due to its softness and flexibility, copper has been in use for thousands of years. If we continue to consume copper at our current rate, however, the Earth's reserves will become depleted and remaining copper products will skyrocket in price. Fortunately, recycled copper is 95% as valuable as newly-mined ore, and is less expensive. Copper is extremely durable, a great conductor of electricity and can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for:
  • Roofing and gutters
  • Plumbing pipes and fittings
  • Electrical circuits and wiring
  • Pots, pans, and other cookware

Lead

Approximately 74% of lead used in today's manufacturing is recycled, and about 80% of produced lead is used in lead-acid batteries. Since lead can be highly toxic, it is extremely important to make sure all lead items are recycled through a responsible and reputable recycling facility. Batteries of all types should be recycled, not discarded. Recycled lead is often used for:
  • Fishing tackle (lead is heavy-weight and corrosion-resistant)
  • Cable sheathing
  • Electrode plates in automobile batteries
  • X-ray aprons (X-rays cannot penetrate lead)

Iron & Steel

The presence of iron in any metal makes it a ferrous metal. Steel is an alloy of iron with carbon added to it for extra strength and durability. Due to the fact that recycled steel is less expensive to produce than new ore, over 60% of US-manufactured steel is produced using recycled scrap. Steel is actually commonly used in "tin" food cans, which contain only a thin layer of tin on the outside to prevent corrosion, making the recycling of these cans very important. Steel that has been recycled is commonly used in:
  • Food cans and other tin-plated containers
  • Nuts, bolts, screws and tools
  • Farm equipment and heavy machinery
  • Ships, bridges, trains and railways
  • Appliances, cabinets and doors
  • Structural steel

Stainless Steel

Unlike ordinary steel, stainless steel does not rust or corrode over time. Stainless steel products on the market today are made up of about 60% recycled material. The demand for stainless steel products has doubled over the past ten years, due to its durability and attractive look. Most common uses of stainless steel are: 
  • Automobile manufacturing
  • Household appliances
  • Cutlery and cookware
  • Surgical instruments
  • Brackets, bolts and auto exhaust parts
  • Building construction
  • Passenger train cars
  • Water and sewage treatment equipment

Brass

Did you know that brass isn't actually an elemental metal? This alloy is composed of copper, zinc, and an array of other metals. Thanks to its durability, versatile functionality, and malleability, all sorts of manufacturers turn to brass when completing modern applications. In fact, it's one of the most common metals used within the industrial sector!

Brass can be reused over and over again, and can eventually be recycled into new brass. Keeping this in mind, our team is prepared to give you top dollar for your old materials! Take a look at the following section to get a better sense of acceptable scrap metal.
  • Red Brass
  • Yellow Brass
  • Turnings
  • 70/30 Brass
  • Comp Brass
  • Rod Brass
  • Back Flows
  • Hard Brass

Contact Our Certified Team to Access Reliable Scrap Metal Services

If you've got some scrap metal on your hands, don't waste another moment. Simply contact one of the experienced staff members at Berwick Iron and Metal Recycling today. Not only do we provide highly competitive scrap rates, but you can always count on our team to provide efficient and sustainable assistance. Stop trashing your scrap metal, and take strides toward repurposing your unused materials!

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