How Are Scrap Metal Prices Determined? 

Collecting Scrap Metal Becuse Prices Are Increasing and Fluctuating

How Are Scrap Metal Prices Determined? 

At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, we buy and sell scrap metal. We always pay fair market value for the metal that we buy, and always keep our prices competitive when selling. This begs the question, though: How are scrap metal prices determined? 

There are numerous factors that impact the price of scrap metal, outlined below. If you have questions about scrap metal pricing or how you can buy or sell metal with Scrap Metal Services, LLC, please reach out to us directly today.

Factors that Impact Scrap Metal Prices

Scrap metal prices are impacted by more than just a single factor; instead, there are a handful of details that can raise or lower metal prices. These include:

  • International trading and global politics. International relationships and politics can influence metal prices, in large part because such relationships may influence who’s selling to whom and how sellers are setting their prices. For example, tensions between China—which is a large player in the global metal markets—could impact prices. 
  • Season. The seasons and the time of year can impact the markets, as consumer behaviors may shift depending on the weather, holidays, etc., raising or lowering demand. 
  • Location. When metal has to travel long distances before being sold, transportation and handling fees can increase the price. On the contrary, when metal is sold near the ports or at the location of manufacture,  it tends to be less expensive. 
  • Quantity and quality. When the quantity of available metal is low, the price tends to go up; similarly, the amount of scrap that a scrap yard intakes can influence prices. Additionally, the quality of metal also impacts prices, with higher-quality metals typically being priced higher. 
  • Industry demand. When there is a large demand for certain metal types, prices of that metal tend to go up, especially if supply is low. This is the basic economic theory of supply and demand. 
  • Market prices. Finally, within a scrap yard or metal distribution center, global market prices for metal can impact for how much a smaller supplier is selling metal.

Call Scrap Metal Services, LLC Today

At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, we always keep our prices fair and reasonable and always pay top dollar for the scrap that we buy. If you have metal that you want to sell, or if you need to buy finished metal products, we can help. Learn more about our scrap metal recycling services, our brokerage and trading services, and our scrap yard by calling us directly or sending us a message at your convenience. We look forward to working with you!

Industry Insights for the Scrap Metal Industry

market revenue concept when looking for steel recycling industry trends

The scrap metal and scrap metal recycling industries are a very important part of U.S. revenue and economic wellbeing, generating billions of dollars every year and providing numerous jobs. Of course, like all industries, year-over-year changes and fluctuations in the market are common. Here are some industry insights for the scrap metal industry for 2018 that are important to know if you work in the scrap metal industry, or are a scrap metal buyer or seller–

Who Are We Talking About When We Say “Scrap Metal Industry?”

When we use the term “scrap metal industry,” we are talking about numerous different players. These key players include:

  • Steel and iron recyclers;
  • Aluminum scrap recyclers;
  • Lead scrap recyclers;
  • Copper scrap recyclers; and
  • Other nonferrous scrap recyclers.

In addition to recyclers, all those involved in the collection and processing of ferrous and nonferrous materials are counted, too.

Revenue Is Slightly Down

According to IBISWorld, over the past five years, the scrap metal industry has declined ever so slightly – 2.3 percent to be exact. As such, U.S.-based scrap metal revenue generated approximately $39 billion in 2018. In addition to the slight revenue decrease compared to previous years, the number of scrap metal businesses has also decreased by .9 percent, and the number of scrap metal employees has decreased by .6 percent.

What’s Expected for the Industry?

It can be difficult to make accurate predictions about the industry – a change can be preceded by a political move, bad weather, or numerous other unexpected circumstances. That being said, some forecasts for the future include:

  • The price of steel is expected to fall slightly, which could threaten the scrap recycling industry. When prices for steel are lower, there is less demand for scrap recycling.
  • However, the industry could also experience a boom in the future, at least in the United States. This is because China buys a lot of American recycled steel products, and as the GDP of China is expected to increase, so are the country’s building and development needs, increasing the demand for steel.

Contact Scrap Metal Services, LLC Today to Learn More

If you have questions about scrap trends or scrap recycling or want to get fair market value when selling your scrap, call our team at Scrap Metal Services, LLC today. We are a leader in the scrap recycling industry and have years of experience behind us. Reach us at 708-730-1400 today or send us a message to learn more.

Environmental and Economical Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling

sustainability concept for metal recycling work with our scrap metal company in Illinois

Environmental and Economical Benefits of Scrap Metal Recycling

Recycling scrap metal rather than taking it to the landfill is the just smart thing to do, period. In fact, not only can recycling be great for the earth–after all, recycling limits the amount of natural resources that have to be extracted and utilized–but it also has numerous economic benefits, too. Consider some of these environmental and economic benefits of scrap metal recycling–

Recycling Saves Natural Resources

One of the most pressing reasons why our team at Scrap Metal Services, LLC is passionate about recycling is that recycling saves natural resources. There is only a limited amount of metal ore found on the planet, and once we’ve extracted it, it’s gone. What’s more, extraction practices are harmful, energy-intensive, costly, and destroy habitat and pollute the air and water. Soil, plants, animals, water, and air are all tainted when we mine for metal ore – recycling is a better option.

Recycling Keeps Harmful Toxins Out of Landfills

Many metal-containing items that are recycled contain dangerous toxins, such as lead and mercury. When these materials are processed in the property facility type, these toxins can be separated and properly disposed of. Unfortunately, these materials–and the toxins they contain–often make their way into landfills, where the toxins then contaminate our soil and water. This can have a major disruptive effect on wildlife and the earth, as well as human health.

Recycling Generates Export Sales

Recycling scrap metal is good for the economy and generates billions of dollars in export sales every year. This means that through recycling of metal, America remains more competitive on the global scale.

Recycling Employs People

The recycling industry, including the scrap metal recycling industry, is one of the top employers in the country, providing jobs for tens of thousands of workers on an annual basis. In fact, according to Ecocycle.org, recycling and reuse creates at least nine times more jobs than does sending materials to landfills and incinerators, and up to as many as 30 times more jobs!

Do the Smart Thing for the Earth, the Country, and Your Business

By recycling your scrap metal, you can be an active participant in helping the environment, supporting American jobs, and even improving your own business’ economic situation – at Scrap Metal Services, Inc., we pay top dollar for your scrap!

To learn more about how we can help and why you should work with our scrap recycling team, please call us at 708-730-1400 today, or send us a message directly.

The Benefits of Recycling Scrap for Your Business

Scrap Metal and if you are looking for help with metal scrap recycling contact a great company in Burnham.

There are a number of businesses in different industries that can benefit from the process of recycling scrap, ranging from agricultural businesses to manufacturing companies and more. Recycling scrap is not only easy when you work with Scrap Metal Services, LLC, but also a great way to clean up your property, make some money, and do the earth some good. Consider these tops benefits of recycling scrap for your business–

The Cash Makes it All Worth It

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for businesses to turn to scrap recycling is the fact that recycling your scrap yields business revenue. If you have old equipment on your property that is obsolete, taking up room, and super heavy (because it’s so dense with metal), you can be paid for that piece! At Scrap Metal Services, we take all scrap, ranging from old reapers and winnowing machines and more. We pay cash for scrap!

Your Property Could Use the Pick-Me-Up

Another benefit that you’ll get from recycling your scrap is a cleaner and more organized-looking property. Not only may this be a key part of attracting customers and doing good business, but it can also provide you with more physical space on your property for other business operations. After all, if you keep allowing scrap to pile up without recycling it, at some point you’re going to run out of space.

You’re Doing the Earth a Favor

If your business is trying to go green, recycling your scrap is one step in the right direction. As explained by U.S. Geological Survey, metals are important reusable resources and recycling them provides environmental and economic benefits, including reduced waste and improved energy savings. In a single year, the United States recycled 58.3 million metric tons of selected metals, the majority of which were iron and steel.

If you’re wondering why going green is good for your business, consider that in today’s competitive business market, customers are always looking for companies that stand out from the rest – prioritizing environmental responsibility may help you achieve that. Recycling may also help your business get the green certifications it’s striving for.

Learn More About Scrap Recycling from Scrap Metal Services, LLC

There are a number of benefits associated with recycling scrap but you can’t take advantage of these benefits without partnering with a trusted scrap recycler near you. At Scrap Metal Services, we provide a full range of scrap recycling services including the processing of ferrous and non-ferrous materials, railcar and ship and vessel dismantling, and management of all transportation and logistics.

To learn more about our scrap recycling services for your business, please reach out to us directly. We serve businesses in a variety of industries and serve companies throughout the United States. Reach us by sending us a message using the intake form on our website, or call our Burnham, Illinois location at 708-730-1400.

3 Industries Affected by Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

Long tubes of metal and if you need assistance with removing your metal recycling a national company in Burnham has a great reputation.

Nearly all businesses in the United States, as well as all consumers, rely on metals for a variety of purposes. Indeed, your home refrigerator or oven wouldn’t be what it is without metal.

There are countless industries that rely on the importation of metals in order to do business. Which is why the decision of the U.S. government to implement taxes on imported steel and aluminum could have a large effect on the following industries and the overall American economy–

Manufacturing Industry

Businesses in the manufacturing industry are likely to use the greatest quantities of metals. Manufacturing companies that are dependent upon steel, aluminum, and other metals include manufacturers of appliances, electronics, and airplanes.

Construction Industry

According to the same article cited above, there are a whopping 10.1 million Americans who are currently employed in the construction industry. As steel prices increase, the price of steel beams (which are integral to construction) will go up, making building a more expensive endeavor for construction companies nationwide.

Oil and Utility Industries

If you’re struggling to see the connection between the oil and utility industries and steel and aluminum importation, consider that both of the former industries rely on steel in order to manufacture pipelines. These pipelines are a critical piece of energy infrastructure. Of course, these industries also use steel and aluminum for the manufacture of wires and beams (and numerous other things), too.

How Much Do We Really Rely on Imported Steel?

Without the importation of steel and aluminum, the American economy simply would not function. To be sure, of the 100 million tons of steel used in the U.S., imports make up approximately one-third of that. Nearly two-thirds of aluminum used in the states is a result of imports.

What About Domestic Steel Production?

The pressure is on for domestic steel producers to close the import gap as prices for imported steel and aluminum that increase. Additionally, now more than ever before, the recycling and responsible processing of scrap metal are of vital importance.

For businesses that are affected by metal and scrap metal, having a trusted partner for processing and recycling services can provide peace of mind – Scrap Metal Services, LLC can help.

To learn more about our scrap processing and recycling services, please reach out to us today. You can reach our Burnham, Illinois location at 708-730-1400 or get in touch with us by sending us a message using the contact form found online.

Scrap Metal Tips for Businesses

Scrap metal car parts on the floor and if you need to rid your company's scrap metal find a great company in Burnham who can take it.

Implementing a scrap recycling plan for your business can increase business revenue, help you to do your part to be green, and reduce the amount of waste you have on your property, as well as free up space in the process. But before you start recycling your scrap, there are few important things to know. Here are some scrap metal tips and information for businesses–

Tips and Things to Know About Recycling Scrap

In order to make the most of your scrap metal recycling operation, be sure to follow the following tips and make the most of the below information about scrap recycling–

  • Know how to get the best prices. It’s likely that the biggest reason you’re interested in scrap recycling is that recycling your scrap can yield profits. But if you don’t know how to get the best price for your scrap, you’re missing out on a big opportunity. The first step is to find a trusted and experienced scrap recycler with a good reputation. From there, you may be able to maximize your profits by sorting scrap yourself (organized by type), waiting until you have a full load to call for pick up, or/and delivering scrap yourself.
  • Know what you can recycle (and why you should). Another important part of smart scrap recycling is knowing what you can recycle, and why recycling is so important. The good news is that you can recycle both ferrous and non-ferrous materials, which means you shouldn’t be tossing any metal without getting it checked out by a scrap processor first.
  • Try the magnet test. If you’re handling the sorting of ferrous vs. non-ferrous materials on your own, you may be wondering how exactly you can tell the difference between these two materials types. One of the easiest ways is to use a magnet. If the magnet sticks, it’s probably ferrous!
  • Avoid scrap businesses with a bad reputation. One of the most important things when recycling scrap is to ensure that you partner with a scrap recycling company with a good reputation; working with a business that’s inexperienced or has terrible client reviews may end up costing you time and money. Do your homework to find a trusted company.
  • Consider working with a trusted scrap recycler that offers on-site scrap management. Finally, you should consider working with a scrap processing company that offers on-site scrap management. This means that all of your scrap will be sorted, loaded, processed, etc. on site, which can be extremely convenient for your company, especially if you’re constantly generating a large amount of scrap. A company that offers on-site scrap management services and transportation and logistics services is ideal.

Learn More About Our Scrap Recycling Operation Today

At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, we have been in business for over a decade, and have quickly risen to one of the global leaders in scrap processing. Offering a multitude of scrap services, we want to be your go-to company for all of your scrap processing needs.

To learn more about our services, please contact our Burnham, Illinois location today at 708-730-1400, or contact us online at your convenience.

Responsible Recycling: Know What Materials Not to Scrap

Plastic, glass, metal and paper recycle bins and look to a renown company in Burnham who can help you with all your scrap metal recycling needs.

As a business that generates scrap metal, there is money to be made in recycling that scrap (not to mention good to be done). But before you create your scrap pile and call in a trusted scrap processor like Scrap Metal Services, LLC, it’s important to know some dos and don’ts of scrap recycling, including what materials should not go into your scrap pile. Here’s a look into what you need to know–

Things to Never Put In Your Scrap Pile

If you sort your scrap properly from the beginning and make sure non-scrapable materials stay out of your scrap pile, you can save money and time later on. Things to never put in your scrap pile include:

  • Plastics;
  • Oils;
  • Hazardous materials;
  • Electronic waste; and
  • Paper and cardboard.

While these things shouldn’t be put in your scrap pile for scrap processing (scrap processing is designed only for ferrous and non-ferrous materials), these items can and should be recycled in the majority of cases. Talk to your local recycling company, or contact Scrap Metal Services, LLC for hazardous waste processing.

Others Tips for Smart Scrap Recycling

In addition to recycling responsibly by removing non-scrap materials from your scrap recycling pile, other tips for smart scrap recycling include:

 

  • Get top dollar by letting scrap accumulate. Rather than taking small piles of scrap as your scrap accumulates, you’ll typically get more money if you wait until you have a big pile. A scrap processor is likely to give you a better deal for a bigger scrap pile, and if you’re having the scrap picked up, you’ll save the company money on transportation costs too.

 

 

  • Sort your own scrap. While a company will surely be willing and able to sort scrap for you, you may be able to save money by sorting scrap on your own. This is based purely on the fact that sorting scrap means more labor for a company, and therefore a more significant charge.

 

Choose the Right Scrap Processing Company for Your Business

Another important thing that you should focus on is choosing the right scrap recycling partner for your business. At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, we are a leader in the scrap processing industry and have more than a decade of experience behind us. To learn more about our scrap processing services and why we make a great partner, contact us today by sending us a message online, or by calling us at 708-730-1400. We look forward to working with you!

Stay on top of Recycling: Know what’s trash and what’s not

Stay on top of recycling: Know what’s trash and what’s not

For years now, separating trash from recyclables has been an integral part of daily life across America. But are your efforts making a difference? Are you putting the right items in the right bins? While recycling household items is up to you, we can help with railcar decommissioning and dismantling, which are just some of our services and all part of keeping our world green.

Arm yourself with knowledge so you know what to throw out and what to throw in the recycling bin. The following items may seem like they fit in the recycling column, but their placement in the recycling group could contaminate your local centers’ ability to process the load.

The no-no’s of the recycling world

Greasy pizza boxes: The box on its own is OK, but once your pizza has left behind an oily residue, the ability to recycle it is in question. It’s difficult for recycling centers to isolate the cardboard box’s fiber from the grease. Tearing out the untouched areas is a good way to at least make sure some of the box is recycled.

Food-filled containers: Even if a container is labeled OK for recycling, if it has debris left behind, it does not fit in the recycling bin. Taking the time to rinse out empty milk jugs can make it pass the recycling muster.

Plastic bags: Using plastics bags as containers for collecting recyclables might seem like an easy and good idea, but the bags themselves are not good to go to the recycling center. Check your area for ways to dispose of plastic bags properly and consider toting around the reusable totes instead.

Coffee on the go: The disposable cups that hold your hot beverage are (surprisingly) not meant for recycling. The culprit that keeps them out: polyethylene, which is the lining that allows the cups to hold liquid. Switching to reusable cups helps cut back on the confusion if a cup is lined or not.

Plastic changes: If you have been a number checker in the recycling game, know that rules change as to what numbers are recyclable. Plastics 3 to 7 – anything from yogurt cups to bread bags – are now not accepted everywhere. It’s best to check with your recycling company or city facility to find out for sure.

The larger side of recycling

At Scrap Metal Services, we provide a full-service scrap metal facility. We can help with vehicles, vans, trucks or SUVs that are no longer running, crashed or totaled, an old model or wrecked. We also can assist with old machinery, tractors, trailers or farm equipment.

We’re here to help at Scrap Metal Services

We offer customer-centric services for all your needs! While our headquarters are in Burnham, Ill., we have offices and scrap processing facilities in locations across the United States. Contact our main offices at (708) 730-1400 or connect with us online and we can answer all your questions.

Why You Should Recycle Your Scrap Metal

Copper tube metal scrap parts in warehouse and if you need a metal scrap recycling service find a great one in Burnham.

If you’re a business owner that has a lot of leftover scrap at the end of the day–which is pretty common for businesses within the manufacturing industry–you may be considering the different solutions for getting rid of the scrap. At Scrap Metal Services, LLC, we’re huge fans of recycling. Here are a few of the top reasons why you should recycle your scrap metal (and why you should choose our company for your recycling needs!):

It’s Good for the Environment

Perhaps the most pressing reason why you shouldn’t think twice about recycling your leftover scrap metal is the fact that recycling is good for the environment. Mining metal ore and turning it into metal is unsustainable, and is a huge drain on natural resources, air quality, and even human health when you get down to the nitty gritty of it. When you recycle metal, you reduce CO2 emissions, save natural resources, and reduce landfill space and protect the soil. If you want to do your part to be green, recycling your business’ scrap metal is a huge part of that!

It’s Good for Your Business’ Pocketbook

There’s no doubt that your company is in the business of making money whenever and wherever possible, especially if it’s for a good cause. This is just one more reason to recycle your scrap metal and to work with Scrap Metal Services, LLC: we’ll pay you top dollar for your scrap! If your business want to recycle and get paid to do so, working with our team is a must.

It’s Convenient

Finally, scrap recycling is a convenient, effective, and stress-free way to manage your scrap metal. In fact, when you work with our company, we can provide you with affordable containers to store your scrap metal on site, and will handle all transportation and recycling logistics on your behalf, which means that you never have to do anything other than set the scrap metal out – we’ll handle the rest!

Contact Us Today to Learn More About Scrap Metal Recycling In Illinois

Our headquarters is located in Burnham, Illinois, but we have offices and scrap processing facilities throughout the United States. If you are ready to learn more about recycling with Scrap Metal Services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today with any questions that you have. You can call or Burnham location today at 708-730-1400, or contact us by sending us a message using the contact form on our website. We will provide you with a timely and honest response.

What’s the Difference Between Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Materials?

Scrap metal in warehouse and if you need a service to remove your scrap metal find one in headquartered in Burnham.

Businesses in the manufacturing industry, as well as some other industry types, are left with a variety of scrap metals at the end of the day. Businesses with scrap metals are tasked with the challenge of finding a responsible scrap metal recycler that will handle both ferrous and non-ferrous materials. The following takes a look into the difference between the two materials types:

Ferrous Materials – What Are Those?

Ferrous metals are those metals that contain iron. Some of the most common ferrous metals include (but are not necessarily limited to):

  • Carbon steel;
  • Cast iron;
  • Alloy steel; and
  • Wrought iron.

Ferrous materials are extremely useful in a number of industries. For example, because most ferrous materials are magnetic they are also key in the appliances and electronics manufacturing industry.

Non-Ferrous Materials: Metals that Lack Iron

If ferrous materials are those metals that contain iron, non-ferrous materials are those that do not. While ferrous materials are certainly valuable in certain industry types, it is actually non-ferrous materials that are typically more expensive and sought after, based on their many desirable properties such as resistance to corrosion (ferrous materials tend to rust), light weight (ferrous materials are heavier), and higher conductivity. A list of important non-ferrous materials include:

  • Copper;
  • Tin;
  • Aluminum;
  • Nickel;
  • Brass;
  • Zinc; and
  • Titanium.

The majority of non-ferrous materials are used in the manufacturing of things like electrical wire, pipes, kitchen equipment, ornaments, water taps, and more. Precious metals, like gold, silver, platinum are also non-ferrous.

Handling and Processing of Your Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Materials

At Scrap Metal Services, LLC (SMS), we provide handling and processing services of your business’ ferrous and non-ferrous materials, offering you the peace of mind you’re looking for. Our non-ferrous metals process services include:

  • Baling;
  • Separating metals;
  • Breaking aluminum; and
  • Processing zorba and other scrap.

All processing, whether of ferrous or non-ferrous materials, is done in a manner that is compliant with regulations and prioritizes best practices for protecting the environment and worker and human health.

Contact Us Today to Learn More About Scrap Metal Processing of Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Materials

At SMS, we are a worldwide leader in scrap processing, including the management of both ferrous and non-ferrous materials. If you have questions about how we can help your business or the scrap processing services we provide, do not hesitate to contact us. We have offices across the country, but our headquarters are in Burnham, Illinois. Reach us today for more information at 708-730-1400, or by sending us a message at your convenience.