Don't Toss Scrap Metal

From car batteries and clothes hangers to hubcaps and washing machines, many items in the garage and around the house are made of scrap metal. When it’s time to get rid of these items, don’t add them to the nearest landflill.

Remove as much of the nonmetal materials (rubber wheels,wooden handles, and so on) as possible; responsiby dispose of any oil and gasoline; and recycle the scrap at your local recycling center. Recycled steel, for instance, is used in the manufacturing of cars, bikes, and appliances.

Soda cans, gutters, and siding are just a few items made from recycled aluminum. Now, recycling centers may not eccept certain items because they often have hazardous components and require speacial handling.

In that case, consider taking items to a local scrap-metal dealer. Many dealers will pay you for the meatals.

Special Note:

Much less energy is required to make metal from scrap, such as old appliances and cars, than from ore- and at much less cost to the environment.