When an appliance breaks, many people either toss it (often paying for a large item pickup from their trash company), drop it off at the local landfill, or swap it for a new appliance with a delivery service’s “free removal” offer. There’s a fourth option that is often forgotten - metal recycling. We all know recycling helps conserve resources and reduces landfill waste, but there are benefits to appliance recycling beyond these basics. Let’s explore them.
Recycling your scrap metal can potentially save you hundreds of dollars vs. the cost to have them hauled away or dropped off at the local dump/landfill. Denver area landfills can charge hundreds of dollars for large drop offs. Yet metal recycling centers and scrap yards will pay YOU instead!
Metal recycling centers take appliances because they often contain valuable metals like copper, steel, or aluminum. For example, water heaters, microwaves, washers, dryers, stoves, and swamp coolers (without refrigerant) all contain recyclable metals.
Recycling your old appliances also helps to declutter and reclaim valuable space in your home. Beyond appliances, there are many things in our homes that can be recycled but are often overlooked.
Do you have an old trampoline in your yard that your kids don’t use anymore? How about dilapidated metal garage shelving you’ve been meaning to replace? Many items that are often upgraded during the holiday gifting season produce a cast off, such as old grills, and lawnmowers. And how many of us have a small appliance like a microwave or printer that broke but we haven’t gotten around to Googling where we can take it for p? All of these are welcome at a metal recycling center.
When appliances are recycled, the materials recovered can be used to manufacture new electronics and appliances. When you recycle an old washing machine or microwave, the metals recovered from these appliances, such as steel, aluminum, and copper, can be melted down, processed, and used to make new products. For instance, recycled steel might be used in the frame of a new refrigerator, while recycled copper wiring could find its way into the motor of an electric car.
Knowing your old appliances can be repurposed into the next generation of new, energy-efficient products and eco-friendly technology can be another good reason to load them up and take them to a scrap yard.
Metal production is highly energy-intensive, primarily relying on fossil fuels like coal for heat, leading to significant CO2 emissions. For example, manufacturing one ton of steel can produce two tons of CO2.1 Yet the energy needed to recycle steel is 75% less compared to making steel from raw materials. This translates directly to lower CO2 emissions.2
To sum it all up, recycling helps reduce the energy needed to produce new metal and it lowers greenhouse gas emissions. The more people who recycle their metals, the larger the impact on the environment.
Recycling is a labor-intensive process, which means that choosing to recycle supports local jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries. These jobs are crucial for Denver’s economic growth, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the local economy.
Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) is dedicated to developing a green workforce and they’ve made great strides through training programs.3 “With the partnership of nine community organizations, CASR’s Green Workforce Training programs provide important upskilling to support Denverites in securing and retaining quality jobs that advance climate action. Between 2022 and 2023, the workforce training programs outside of the DPS partnership have served a total of 403 individuals.”4 The CASR also developed Green Workforce (GWF) Labor Standards “to create demand for green jobs by providing financial incentives for City and County contractors to hire Green Workforce trained individuals, many of whom come from equity priority communities, into high-quality, stable jobs.”4
Now that you know some of the benefits of metal recycling, here are some tips for how to do it:
These include fridges and window AC units that contain Freon. Anything that contains refrigerant has to be removed by a certified EPA technician. We can’t accept box springs or recliners, and Denver recycling centers don’t accept TVs or computer monitors. But don’t throw them away! Colorado made it illegal to dispose of electronics in the trash because they commonly contain toxic metals and materials that would pose health or environmental risks if they entered a landfill. Instead Denver Solid Waste Management offers residents one “E-cycle Coupon” per year. It offers a discounted dropoff rate for TVs, monitors, laptops, and other electronics. Review the full list of items and request your coupon here.
Here are a few pro metal appliance recycling tips:
When you’re ready to clean up after a renovation project or clean out your garage or basement, we’ll be ready to help you unload your recyclable metal. We take pride in being one of the fastest dropoff scrap yards in Denver. Our team will make sure you can get your metal weighed and pay you for it quickly. Reach out to us with any questions.
In closing, recycling your old appliances is not just a responsible choice; it's a powerful way to contribute to a more sustainable future. By choosing to recycle, you not only save money and declutter your home but also play a vital role in conserving natural resources and reducing harmful emissions. Every appliance recycled helps divert waste from landfills, minimizes the need for new raw materials, and supports local jobs in the recycling industry.
As we strive for a greener planet, it’s essential to recognize that our everyday choices can lead to significant environmental benefits. So next time you find yourself with a broken appliance, remember that recycling is an option that benefits both you and the world around you. Let’s work together to turn yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s resources!
