| by Dean Gallea, TEAC Co-Chair
Here’s a Reuse/Recycle idea you ought to consider, with value for both the environment and yourself: Sell your unneeded metals to a recycler for cash! I recently walked away from the local recycler with an extra $56 in my wallet in exchange for a few small boxes of cords, wires and plumbing parts. Here’s how it works:
- Gather anything made primarily of non-ferrous metal (copper, brass, aluminum) that is taking up space and would otherwise get trashed. (Note: Aluminum beverage cans are returnable to stores for much more $ than the recyclers offer.) Examples:
- House wiring, cables and power cords – Cut off plugs or connectors and discard them; any electronic parts should be recycled at the H-MRF. If you have a large amount of wire that’s more than half copper by weight, that’s more valuable.
- Computer ethernet cables, USB cables, thermostat wire and the like – Again, cut off ends so you only have the wire itself left. (Note: No TV coax cable, it uses steel instead of copper.)
- Copper or brass pipe, couplings, fittings and valves – It’s OK if they have soldered joints, just remove steel or chrome parts.
- Aluminum extrusions, like storm door and window frames, aluminum picture frames and architectural panels. Remove screens and glass, and be sure they are aluminum by checking that a magnet does not stick.
- Place the materials in separate containers by type. Take them to Brookfield Scrap at 100 Lamont St. in Elmsford: https://www.brookfieldscrap.com, on a weekday until 4:30 or Saturday before 1pm. You should go by car, since it’s in a somewhat industrial section of the Village and is a bit iffy for pedestrians or cyclists.
- Pull into one of the designated spots in front of the drop-off area, and show the staff what you are offering. The first time you go, they will set up an account under your name and phone number.
- The staff will weigh each type of material and print out a slip listing the weight and the amount they are paying for each.
- Take the slip across the street to the office lobby and scan the barcode on an ATM-like screen, which will spit out cash (rounded to the nearest dollar.) That’s it!
Brookfield also buys steel at much lower value, and other metals at varying prices. They’ll pay you 30-34 cents/lb for machinery like motors and air conditioners, and unbroken car batteries. Check the website for details. |
