Starting to scrap metal can be a rewarding endeavor, financially beneficial, and environmentally responsible. If you’re ready to give it a try, here are some tips to get you started.

1. Start Learning

   Begin to raise your awareness about what types of metal are available to you, and what the current market values are for various metals.

   For instance, we can tell you that lead, brass, platinum, gold, and silver are among the most valuable metals to scrap. However, because those higher-yielding metals can be harder to find, many scrappers have great success with working with collecting aluminum, steel, and copper. These latter metals can be easier to find and more plentiful.

2. Get Equipped

   Smart scrappers utilize basic safety items such as gloves, safety glasses, and hard-toed shoes. It’s also helpful to have a magnet on hand to identify ferrous metals, various heavy-duty containers for sorting, and a scale. You’ll also need access to a reliable vehicle for transporting your scrap metal to Davis Metals. 

   Safety and scrapping go hand-in-hand, as this can be a hazardous hobby. Always be mindful of sharp edges and corners, as well as any chemicals or other substances that can be found on the metals you collect.

3. Know Where to Look

   In the beginning, it can feel overwhelming to learn how and where to locate scrapable metal. We suggest starting with scoping out your neighborhood for discarded items such as appliances, wheels, ladders, window frames, filing cabinets, wiring, unusable bicycles, and other metal items. You can also work to build relationships with those at construction sites, automotive repair facilities, schools, or office buildings, and find out when they’ll have metal to discard. Be aware, however, of regulations against taking metals that belong to someone else.

4. Start Small

   Taking baby steps into the great world of scrapping can help you to feel successful and confident as you grow in skill and knowledge. Starting small with some aluminum cans or discarded aluminum siding will allow you to learn the process, get to know us at Davis Metals a little better, learn the recycling exchange rates, and become more comfortable.

5. Know Who to Ask

   You’ll undoubtedly have questions throughout your scrapping endeavors, and you’ve found the very best people to come alongside you to help. The Davis Metals team are experts in Arizona metal recycling, and have over 70 years of experience. 

We can’t wait to get to know you, and help you as you get started, or start to grow, in your scrapping hobby. As the leaders in Phoenix metal scrapping, we promise to offer competitive rates, fast service, and the very best customer service. 

Here are a few reasons why we care so much about metal recycling in Arizona:

• We’re looking at frighteningly full landfills

  According to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, only about 17% of recyclable materials in Arizona was actually being recycled at the time of the study. This low consumer recycling rate means that Arizona landfill space is decreasing at a rapid rate. Figure tons of unrecycled, non-compostable metal into the mix, and we could be looking at a very serious situation.

• It’s freakishly easier on natural resources

  When comparing the environmental impact of mining virgin ore versus reusing/recycling metal, the truth is shocking: Recycling metal utilizes significantly less energy, leaves a smaller carbon footprint, results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and leads to less pollution to surrounding areas. 

• It’s so simple, it’s scary

  We make it really easy for you to recycle your appliances, vehicles, scrap metal, wheels, bikes, and more. Want to bring your metal to our Phoenix scrapyard? Great! Our skilled team of experts will process your load and generate a payment for you.  Want Davis to pick your metal up for you? We have lots of options for that. Our roll-off dumpsters come in a variety of sizes to accommodate any job. You simply tell us when you want it, and we’ll deliver the dumpster you need. And then, you let us know when you’re done with it and we’ll pick it up. 

• High unemployment rates give us nightmares

  Scrap metal recycling is a labor-intensive industry. By recycling your metal at Davis Metals, you’re helping to create new jobs right in your greater Phoenix community. Recycling in general is responsible for about 1.17 new jobs for every 1000 tons of recycled material, and metal recycling is the largest contributor towards that total. There are workers needed for collection, sorting, transportation, equipment operators, facility staff, sales and marketing, environmental compliance, and advertising, just to name a few

At our family-run business, we are fortunate to feel so passionate about what we do. For over 60 years Davis Metals has been a Phoenix area staple, and our expert staff and efficient processes are just part of what helps us keep our status of the very best. While there’s nothing scary about Davis Metals, we DO want you to feel a little frightened at the prospect of our city and state with no metal recycling in place. When you let us recycle your unwanted metal, we’ll do our part to protect our surrounding environment while giving you efficient, polite, and competent service; the first time, and every time.

Here’s an idea for what could be happening behind the scenes with the metal items you leave behind.

• First, we sort. We determine which metal is ferrous versus non-ferrous, often by using magnetic sensors, and sort accordingly. We sometimes use other metal analyzing equipment also, depending on whether a metal is difficult to identify. Aluminum, steel, copper, brass, and other types are each sorted into their own area. During this process we also separate and remove any non-metal parts and recycle or reuse those as needed.

• Next, we process. Processing metal involves cleaning, shredding, and compacting it so that it takes up less space; the more compact it is, the easier it is to melt and the less energy it takes.

• Melting is the next step. The compacted metal groups are placed into large furnaces where they are melted into liquid form. Depending on the type of metal, this process can take a few minutes to several hours. While this step does use a high amount of energy, it is still less than the energy required to mine for new metal sources.

• The liquid metal is then decontaminated or sanitized; usually through a process called electrolysis. This step helps ensure a quality metal product, and is one reason why metal can be endlessly recycled. 

• The liquid matter is then poured into molds where it will cool and cure. The metal could be shaped into bars, pipes, sheets, blocks, and more. The metal is now ready to distributed and sold. And when this final metal product reaches the end of its life, it can start all over again with the metal recycling process.

Most metals can be recycled indefinitely, making metal recycling in Phoenix an easy choice. By recycling your metal, you’re helping to ensure that less virgin ore is mined. This is so important because mining ore causes unnecessary air pollution and water pollution, taxes the earth’s reserve of natural resources, strips vegetation, and results in high energy usage. 

Davis Metals is your best choice for local metal in Phoenix. Our high standards in quality metal are what keeps our customers returning, year after year. By choosing to recycle your metal with Davis Metals, and purchase your metal at Arizona Iron Supply, you’re choosing well. We’ve been in the metal business for decades, and we’re experts in the Arizona metal industry. 

Davis Metal specializes in processing your industrial scrap metal, and can help you with every step of that process. Here’s how you can benefit from Davis’ industrial scrap services. 

• That waste doesn’t have to be waste!

With scrap recycling, your metal waste gets transformed from junked, waste metal at the end of its life to new raw material, ready to be produced into brand-new goods. You can feel great about your metal waste products being transformed into something useful instead of getting transported to a landfill.

• We make it easy for you!

Let’s face it – the last thing you need is to add one more task to your already-busy schedule. That’s why we enthusiastically recommend our scrap metal pickup service. Davis Metals will deliver a dumpster of the appropriate size, and then pick it up when you’re finished with it. All you need to do is fill it with any metal materials, as much or as little as you have, and we take care of the rest.

• Are you a scrapper? You could be!

There is plenty of metal waste to be found if you know where, and how, to look. Unclaimed metal scrap that is destined for the landfill can be found on construction sites, shooting ranges (grab those brass shells if they’re being trashed), farms or ranches, medical facilities, and even your own home. Charitable donation sites could also be lucrative, as some organizations may not accept all metal items and put them out with the trash.

Putting forth the effort to recycle scrap metal in Phoenix with Davis Metals is worth it. When you bring in metal materials to be recycled, you walk away with payment from us! Davis accepts ferrous and non-ferrous metal. Also, Davis Metals employs top-grade equipment that makes your metal recycling effortless. Our trucks, cranes, baler, and shear all do their part to get your metal processed quickly. And since we own those tools and operate them on-site, your payout is even better. 

Also, money in your pocket aside, industrial scrap metal recycling in Arizona is great for the environment and community. It provides jobs, uses less energy than the production of new metal does, and preserves natural resources by reducing mining practices. Many metals can be recycled indefinitely and not lose strength.

The experts at Davis Metals can answer all your questions about industrial scrap services in Arizona. We accept all load sizes, and welcome a relationship with small companies, large organizations, and individual metal-scrappers. We’d love to do business with you, too! Come see why Davis Metals is trusted by people all across the state. You’ll see the difference that working with a passionate, family-owned business can make.

• Out with the old . . .

  Whether you’re a teacher settling in to a new classroom, or have a kid moving into the dorms, or are about to embark on some fall cleaning, Davis should be at the forefront of your mind for Arizona metal recycling. New beginnings are a perfect time to clean out your living or work space. When you bring us your unwanted metal bedframes, metal desk parts, old window frames, or filing cabinets, we guarantee you’ll be thrilled with the cleaned-out space.

• . . . and in with the new!

  New income, that is. If you’re involved with education in any way, you definitely need to know about Davis Metals. Teachers, students, and parents can all benefit from the extra cash that can be made from metal recycling in Phoenix at Davis Metals. We will pay you for the metal you bring in to be recycled. New beginnings can be expensive, and Davis Metals is thrilled to play a part in making this new chapter a little more affordable.

• New (school) year resolutions

  While resolutions typically don’t happen for several more months, we think that August is a great time to put some thought into your own carbon footprint. If you’re new to metal recycling, there are a few things we want you to know:

  • Recycling metal uses far fewer natural resources and uses less energy than mining for new metal
  • Mining new ore often requires destruction of the land through underground digging, and damage caused by large, gas-guzzling machinery
  • Not recycling metal causes unwanted metal items to be thrown away, increasing the amount of landfill waste
  • With many metals, you can enjoy the same quality of metal whether your material is recycled versus new

• Keep it simple

  Working with Davis Metals is just plain easy. Not able to bring your metal in? We can arrange a free pick-up of your unwanted metal on your schedule. Have a large amount of metal material? We can deliver a dumpster to your location and pick it up again when needed. Phoenix metal recycling really can be a pleasant experience.

We understand how emotional and exciting new beginnings can be. Let Davis Metals take some of the stress off your plate and handle your metal recycling needs. We have the experienced staff, high-quality machines, and respect for our customers that make our clientele return again and again. Happy New School Year to you, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

If you’ve been wanting to try metal recycling, or else want to take your Arizona metal recycling interest from a casual pastime to a lucrative hobby, we have the tried-and-true tips to ensure you’re getting the most out of your efforts.

1. 1. Take the time to clean your scrap

      Soil or debris on your metal, as well as any attached parts such as plastic or rubber, take up precious space in your scrap receptacle. To get the most bang for your buck, aim to fill your collection container with as much pure metal as possible.

   2. Know and sort your metals

      We recommend getting to know different metal types, and how much Davis will pay for them. Then, once you have a good base knowledge, it becomes very important to sort your metal accordingly. For example, if you bring us a container that you say is all steel, but there are actually a few more valuable pieces in the mix, you’ve lost out on some additional payment.

   3. Practice safety when handling your metal

      Without proper protection from gloves, closed-toed shoes, goggles when appropriate, long sleeves, and long pants, you’re putting yourself at risk. Potential injuries that can happen when safety precautions aren’t met include cuts, burns from metal that’s heated from the Arizona sun, tetanus, eye injuries, and even injuries from wildlife or insects that might be residing in the metal you’re trying to collect.

   4. Protect your metal when storing

      After you’ve done all the work to collect and sort your metal, make sure you store it securely before bringing it to Davis Metals. Choose a location that’s secure from possible theft and protected from the elements.

   5. Get creative

      Once you run out of metal to recycle from your job site, your home or office, and that from your family and neighbors, it’s time to think bigger! Consider approaching plumbing businesses or auto repair shops to see if they’ll allow you access to their scrap metal.

      Also, you can post requests on neighborhood social media sites or local sale sites, letting everyone know you’re willing to pick up any scrap metal they want to get rid of.

We always do our part to make sure your metal recycling experience, once you bring it to us, is as headache-free as possible. We hope that with these tips you’ll have greater success and ease with the Phoenix metal collection process as well.