Can I Recycle Scrap Metal After A Flood?

Mar 18, 2022 | BCM Scrap Steel

As part of the clean-up, they may have to contend with an influx of scrap metal, alongside the question of how to reliably (and safely) dispose of it. With this in mind, we hope to provide an answer, while also showing that scrap metal can still be helpful even if caught in a flood; these recycled products can go on to help others all over the country!

Can I Recycle Rusty Scrap Metal?

Whilst many types of metal are resistant to rust or otherwise receive treatments to repel its effects, there are still many commonplace metals that will inevitably rust during a flood. Even consumer-grade steel can fill with rust in just a few days, and other metallic items or structures are often even less lucky.

However, rust doesn't stop metal from being recyclable – the recycling process usually involves purification, which separates the raw metal from the rust and other kinds of impurities. Without purification, the recycled metal will simply develop rust once again, wreaking havoc on the substance and leaving it less viable for future use.

Avoid Rusty Scrap Metal

Although rusty metal is still recyclable, it’s easier for everyone to prevent it from forming in the first place. In a flood, however, there’s only so much you can do – you might not be able to drive your car out of the water, for instance.

Regardless, you could work to insulate your metals against rust in the first place by choosing stainless steel and other similar corrosion-resistant substances where applicable. Heavy rusting makes it hard to recycle even with purification as part of the process, so do what you can to rescue vulnerable metals from rusting too much over time.

Professional Scrap Metal Collection

Professional metal collection services have the tools, and the knowledge, to diagnose scrap metal and ensure that everything is safe for recycling. This is important because it could be easy to miss any signs of damage that stop something from being recyclable, especially when dealing with the chaos of flood damages in the local area.

For this reason, it’s essential that you trust the experts with handling your waste metal; they’ll make sure you get a good deal and will put it to good use helping others in many ways.

Get In Touch With Us

BCM Scrap Steel & Transport has years of experience in handling scrap metal in all kinds of conditions – flood damage won’t slow down our collection efforts. Commercial, residential, and industrial clients throughout the Emerald area and beyond trust us to take their metal for one simple reason: our service is reliable and second-to-none.

Contact us today and we can get to work helping to remove your scrap, no matter the circumstances.