Who Buys Stainless Steel Scrap Metal (Chicago)

by Greenway Metal Recycling | Apr 25, 2021

Stainless steel has a longer lifespan than other metals which is what makes it so valuable! While it is made from a variety of metals, it is recyclable and can turn a profit if you find scrap metal Chicago recycling yards.

Keep reading to find out more about:

Types of stainless steel
Industries that often produce stainless steel scrap
Who buys stainless steel scrap metal in Chicago

Recycling Scrap Stainless Steel

Suppose you work in an industry exposed to a lot of excess stainless steel scrap. In that case, you can turn that seemingly wasted scrap into money by figuring out who buys stainless steel scrap.

Turn your waste into cash!

What is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is a name for any steel alloy that contains at least 9% of the element chromium. Other metals can be alloyed with stainless steel, namely nickel.

Different Types of Stainless Steel

There are different forms of stainless steel. It is graded and classified in a series based on the percentages and combination of the metals present. This dictates the stainless steel grade, which is primarily based on the SAE Steel Grades chart.

The make-up of stainless steel can affect its appearance and even its level of magnetism. When figuring out whether your metal is ferrous or non-ferrous, you can use a magnet. A magnet will not stick to or pick up a non-ferrous metal.

Where You Might Find Stainless Steel Scrap

There are a few common industries where you might find scrap stainless steel lying around. We have outlined the top three.

Construction & Manufacturing

The construction and manufacturing industries top our list since both production, renovations, and new developments produce a lot of scrap. That means leftover and demoed material can be hauled off and recycled.

Common spots to find stainless steel outside of a building include railings, door handles, and benches. Since stainless steel can rust (due to the nickel content) so, don’t be fooled if it’s not as shiny as you’d expect. It just might be stainless steel underneath.

Inside buildings, you might come across recyclable stainless steel in cooling coils, shipping drums, chemical equipment, and sanitary fittings and valves, to name a few.

Landscaping & Yard Clean Up

If you work in the landscaping or yard clean-up industry, you likely come across your fair share of recyclable stainless steel items. From stainless steel piping, fittings, and valves to yard “junk” like old bathtubs that have been left to rot in the corner. You never know what you’ll find at a customer’s house.

Many customers will appreciate your offer to haul off their eyesore, which can then be recycled. Win, win!

Restaurants & Bakeries

If you work in a restaurant or bakery, chances are you will find stainless steel items everywhere. That’s because it can be easily cleaned and used. Countertops, ovens, refrigerators, dairy equipment, and other food handling equipment are just a few things made from stainless steel. If you find change out these items, you should look into who buys stainless steel scrap.

Do You Have Stainless Steel to Recycle?

If you’re looking for who buys stainless steel scrap metal in Chicago, you’ve found us! Greenway Metal Recycling is one of the leading scrap metal Chicago recycling yards. We work with commercial clients in any industry, including manufacturing, construction, and more.

Please follow and like us: