There is no doubt renovating is time-consuming and expensive. So, we have gathered a few tips about what you can get money back on and how to do it.
COPPER
Copper is a valuable metal commonly found when making home improvements, especially where electrical or plumbing work is involved. Copper is in high demand and becoming increasingly difficult to mine and find. This is why many recyclers will pay a premium price for the metal.
To get the most money from your copper wiring, you should be as prepared as possible before visiting the recycling centre. At Urbanmine, we will purchase copper wire with or without insulation. If you choose to do the extra work and remove the insulation, Urbanmine will pay a higher price per pound than if the insulation is left intact. If you have different types of wire, i.e. insulated or bare, heavy gauge or fine, with or without tin or enamel coating, it’s a good idea to sort them. Make sure any connectors or ends are removed and separate the wire into pails or boxes so the receivers can quickly grade them at the scale.
You could also find yourself with scrap copper pipe after a bathroom or kitchen renovation. Ensure there is no plastic, wood, paper or other non-metallics on the tube. As long as the fittings are copper, they’re fine, but brass fittings may be graded differently, so keep those separate.
BRASS
Brass is another metal you may find while doing home renovations. Most plumbing fixtures, such as taps and faucets, contain brass. However, they likely have other metals, plastic, and rubber, that are either too difficult or not worth the time to remove, so we purchase them as Brass Breakage.
STEEL
Steel is lower in value than other metals but usually comes in larger quantities, so you can also see a healthy return if you recycle steel. You may ask yourself, ‘where would I find steel when I renovate my home?’ Some examples would be your appliances, hot water tank, furnace, steel studs and suspended ceiling grids.
ALUMINUM
Aluminum is another material that can be recycled. You’ll find it in fixtures, doors, siding, eavestroughs, soffits and fascia. Even if you think the aluminum is not in good shape, it can still have value. You will receive the highest return on clean aluminum with no attached screws, plastic, or glass. But don’t toss away the dirty stuff! If you can’t clean it, we will purchase it dirty at a lower price. Be sure you have your clean and dirty aluminum sorted out before you drop them off. If you’re not sure if what you have is aluminum or steel, an excellent way to tell the difference between your materials is to use a magnet. A magnet will not stick to aluminum, only steel.
This is just a starting point. Nearly anything you find in your home that’s made of metal can be recycled. At Urbanmine, we pay top dollar for your material. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are happy to answer your questions and guide new customers through the recycling process. We strive to keep our yard clean and organized and pride ourselves on transparency. We want your visit to be a positive experience. If you have any questions, you can reach us at 204-774-0192.
RESOURCES
https://www.calgary.com/home-component-recycling-guide.php
https://www.greenandprosperous.com/blog/5-things-to-do-with-recyclable-metal-after-a-home-remodel
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