Some people viewed metal recycling as a source of great fortune as the required capital is low while the revenues it can generate is huge. However, metal recycling can only turn into a proper business if one has the know-how, since not all metals are suitable for recycling.

If you have absolute no idea, perhaps it will be great to start off with the following.

First of all, know the nature of different metals. Metals can be colloquially classified into ferrous and non-ferrous, with the latter bearing a higher value as compared to the former. Unfortunately, it is easier to spot and collect ferrous metals like iron or alloys than non-ferrous metals such as aluminium, copper, or steel.

Even though this is the case, it does not necessarily means that collecting non ferrous metal alone will garner great profit. Different metal collector will actually pay different price for the same kind of metal collected. Therefore, it is recommended to call up several metal collectors to compare their collection prices, before selling off what you have in the basket.

Furthermore, metals are purchased based on weight, usually one will need to drive their trucks, containing the metals to the designated collector for weighing and payment. Prices of metals, too, fluctuate according to market demands, thus, it is also essential to keep an eye on the change.

One will never make a living if the dustbin is the sole source of metal; hence there is a need to find out other possible sources of metals. For example, aluminium can be seen on window frames or furniture, while copper can be found in copper pipes etc. Some people will also choose to break up old household appliances like refrigerator, washing machine, oven, or hair dryer etc. for metal parts. It is also recommended to make regular contacts with maintenance units of nearby factories, homes, or offices for frequent supply of used metals.

Always keep a magnet in hand as sorting is way more tedious than collecting metal. Typically, ferrous metal will stick to the magnet while non ferrous metal will not. Hence this can be used as the basic step of metal sorting, after which, metal pieces can be sorted based on their colour and other properties. Remember to remove non metallic parts before sending metals to collectors for weighing. Sellers may collect their revenue after they sent metals to recycling centres but the true values of metal only begin to appear after they have undergone the recycling process.