Everyone wants to make the most money possible when selling scrap metals.  There are over 100 different categories of scrap metals which Action Recycling Center pays top prices to from customers in cities like Denver, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Aurora, Northglenn, Arvada, Thornton, and Broomfield.  So here are some pointers on how to make the most money when you sell your scrap metals.

First some definitions.  Ferrous metals are made from iron.  Non-ferrous metals are not iron.  Examples of non-ferrous metals are copper, brass, aluminum, lead, and stainless steel.  Examples of ferrous metals are the steel auto body and undercarriage in an automobile and a steel storage shed.

Second, if you have any questions, please call us at 303-424-1600.

Here are some things you can do to get paid the most from your scrap metals.

1.  Always check your metals with a magnet.  If it sticks to a magnet, it is probably steel (note: nickel and tungsten carbide are examples of metals which may stick to a magnet but which are not steel;  however, these are not common unless you are involved in manufacturing).  Sort the steel from your non-ferrous metals.  Steel almost always pays less than non-ferrous metals and will cause your non-ferrous metals to be downgraded.

2.  If you have non-ferrous metals (such as copper, brass, aluminum, stainless), remove all steel and screws or bolts, and all other non-like kind metals from your scrap material.  For example, if you are selling an aluminum screen door, first check it with a magnet.  If the magnet does not stick, you probably have an aluminum screen door.  Remove all screws, rubber, fuzz strips, glass, plastic, and corner pieces from the aluminum.  When you sell your extruded aluminum screen door, you be paid a much higher price for the aluminum.

3.  For insulated copper wires, try to keep like kinds of wire together.  For example, here are some sample categories into which to sort your insulated wires to get the highest prices:

a. Romex
b. No. 1 Copper insulated (#14 gauge solid and heavier)
c. #2 Copper insulated (stranded wire which runs about 50% recovery)
d. MCM (250 MCM, 500 MCM and 750 MCM)
e. Christmas lights