Green Matters™
by Crissy Trask

Welcome to my blog where I share almost anything I think will help make greener living undeniable and simple. News, tips, insight and resources served up weekly. I also share my perspectives on others' perspectives and actions. Agree or disagree, I hope you will find them thought-provoking and a starting point for conversation.

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FEBRUARY 2, 2010

What to Do With Metal That Isn't Shaped Like a Can

When I ask clients what metal they recycle, they invariable say aluminum and steel cans. After a brief moment of praise, I press on, "What about broken key chains, busted garden tools, wire hangers and the like?"

All types of residential scrap metal are recyclable, and recyclers don't care if it is attached to cloth, plastic or wood--as long as it is minimal. Through the recycling process, metal is separated from contaminants making recycling metal-bearing household items very easy. The hard part seems to be getting residents to recognize all the metal and metal-bearing items we see as trash differently.

Below is a partial list of scrap metal, and items containing metal, exiting U.S. homes each year that can be recycled:

Clean aluminum foil
Pie tins
Wire "cages" from champagne bottles
Jar lids
Trophies
Tools (garden and construction)
Empty CO2 soda and whipping cream chargers
Keys
Clothing hangers
Electrical wire and cable
Electrical boxes
Empty camp stove propane canisters (Coleman "Green Key" type, at the discretion of the facility operator.)
Empty aerosol and non-aerosol cans (At the discretion of the facility operator.)
Empty fire extinguishers (Head removed.)
Miscellaneous hardware
Spiral bindings
Rings from notebooks
Paper clips
Flashlights
Plumbing fixtures and parts
Boxes and containers
Pet cages
Lamps and light fixtures
Utensils and cutlery
Pots and pans
Fireplace tools and screens
Watering cans and pales
Umbrellas
Key chains
Eyeglasses
Bed frames
Picture wire
Bucket handles
Appliances (Federal law requires that refrigerants, oil, PCBs and mercury are recovered from household appliances prior to dismantling or disposal. States may have additional laws.)
Bicycles and bicycle parts
Barbeques
Patio or deck furniture
Doors
Window frames
Automotive parts
Ladders
Ironing boards
Electronics (Electronic waste recycling is mandatory in many states.)
Ski poles and bindings
Skates
Basketball hoops
Buckles
Padlocks

Any metal, from the tiniest screw to the largest appliance, can and should be recycled.
If you have large items that you cannot transport to the recycling center yourself, your city may pick them up at no charge on recycling day if they are notified in advance. Call your city's solid waste department for details.

For small miscellaneous scrap metal, start two collection bins in your garage, basement or an outdoor shed. Label one bin FERROUS METAL (magnetic metals derived from steel or iron) and the other NONFERROUS METAL (nonmagnetic metals such as aluminum, lead, and copper). Keep a magnet close by to test any metal you are unsure about. When the bins approach full, take them to a drop off recycling center and deposit the contents into the correct bins.

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