Galvanizing steel involves dipping the metal in a protective zinc coat to prevent corrosive substances from reaching the underlying steel. This process is done to strengthen the metal against the elements and ultimately defend against rust.
Galvanized steel is valued for its ductility, which can make it easier to work with compared to stainless steel. It’s also a lot cheaper than stainless steel and is the most economical choice in terms of materials, labor costs and longevity, making it widely available and easily accessible. So, can you scrap galvanized steel? Let’s take a closer look at what the process of galvanized steel recycling entails.
Is Galvanized Steel Recyclable?
From iron and aluminum, to brass and copper or steel and its alloys–nearly all metals are recyclable, including galvanized steel. It can be processed using special machinery, like an electric arc furnace (EAF), in combination with other steel scrap. Similar to the process of water evaporation, the zinc itself will volatize when heated during the recycling process and will settle as dust collected in the EAF. The zinc dust is then recycled in specialist facilities in addition to the steel and goes back into production as refined zinc.
Is Galvanized Steel Worth Scrapping?
Because of its resistance to degradation when exposed to weather, galvanized steel is often used to make nuts, bolts, screws, and nails. It can also be used for making steel frames as a basic construction material for steel frame buildings. So, although it doesn’t fetch as high of a price as stainless steel–which can go for 4 to 5 times more than galvanized steel–its abundant presence still makes it worth scrapping. This can be leveraged to your advantage even more so if you can bulk recycle the metal.
To determine the galvanized steel scrap price, you’ll need to use an online index to look up current high and low prices. Bear in mind that prices fluctuate, so give yourself a few days’ margin to get a better idea of fair pricing before taking your metal to the scrap yard.
How can I Recycle my Galvanized Steel?
Once you can gauge a spot price for your galvanized steel, you’ll want to find a local metal recycling facility. Find a place nearby so you don’t lose on your investment in gas — or time — transporting a heavy truckload of scrap metal far away from your location.
You’ll also want to make sure the galvanized steel is separated from other types of scrap metal to get the best price for your scrap metal. As a ferrous metal, one way to identify galvanized steel is by sticking a magnet to it. If the magnet falls off, you’re dealing with a type of non-ferrous metal, like copper or bronze, which are also valuable types of scrap metal.
Finally, you’ll need to arrange to take the metal to the scrap yard yourself or have your local scrap yard dealer pick it up.
How can Gardner Metal Recycling Help?
Gardner Metal Recycling has been serving the city of Austin’s scrap metal recycling needs for over 60 years. Our family-operated scrap yard dealership serves our commercial, industrial and individual customers with utmost personal care.
We take pride in the cleanliness and organization of our fully-equipped facility–making sure to get customers in and out efficiently. Whether you want to request a price quote, consult with a pro or schedule a pickup — we provide a variety of services that can be tailored to your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can accommodate your scrap metal recycling needs.