What to Do with Old Radiators?

When it comes to getting rid of old heater radiators, it’s not always easy.

Given its weight, it seems like a lot of metal to toss away and not recycle. 

Radiators can be recycled in the form of scrap metal.

It’s a lot easier than it appears to transport such a large and cumbersome cargo to a recycling facility.

Radiators: Can They Be Recycled?

Yes! Radiator recycling is a good thing.

It is essential to keep in mind that radiators are just large pieces of metal. Only a tiny bit of paint covers them, although they are only made of metal for the most part. 

In terms of recyclability, metal ranks at the top among recyclable items. Most sites have little trouble recycling it.

Remember, recycling metal also lessens the metal sector’s demand for new metal production. 

Recycling metals is far better for the environment than mining new metals.

Compared to what would typically be produced by the metal industry itself, metal recycling produces minimal pollution—because of this, recycling your radiators is a way to help the environment.

You may recycle home radiators in a scrap metal yard as well. If your radiators are still in good condition, you might be able to sell them to someone who needs them for their older residents. 

Old radiators, on the other hand, have a limited market. When a radiator goes down, most people replace it with a new system rather than try to keep the old one running.

How Are Radiators Recycled? 

As we previously stated, the recycling procedure for radiators and other metals is relatively straightforward.

The recycling plant crew will add the radiator to a mixed metal box at a recycling site.

They will first separate the metals before recycling them. Afterward, they will crush the metals to a fine powder.

It is a standard method since it is relatively easier to process, and it will use significantly fewer resources than any other method. 

The metal will be compacted into certain forms once reduced to a powder. Afterward, the facility will heat the metal to a very high temperature. 

They will add chemicals to the molten metal to eliminate any remaining impurities once completely melted. 

In the last step, the molten metal is poured into various molds and allowed to cool. After they are set, the metals will be sold to companies that require them.

What Is the Proper Way to Get Rid of a Radiator?

You can drive your radiator to a nearby recycling facility if you have the time and a large enough trunk.

You can also try and sell your radiator to scrap dealers.

Your old radiator will take some time to sell for scrap. To begin, you’ll need to locate nearby scrapyards or firms that deal in scrap metal. You might use Google or any other search engine for this.

The quickest approach to begin your search is to use phrases like “scrap metal pricing” and add your city or town to the end before pressing enter.

Scrap metal buyers and recyclers may be found by searching for “scrap metal buyer” or “scrap metal recycler.” If a suitable pricing list is available on the company’s website, you’ve located a reputable buyer. 

Trying to gain pricing information from a company that does not publish prices might waste time. You can look for the pricing listed on the website.

Call the local business you’ve selected to sell to if you’re satisfied with their pricing and have discovered a buyer you’d want to work with. 

Most of these businesses would prefer to bring your scrap metal to them, which is the best alternative.

You may get your scrap weighed before you, get a predetermined price, and walk out with your money if you visit a firm. 

Scrap metal pick-up services are available in many areas. However, since they can’t weigh the metal outside your home, this might add time to the procedure.

What Radiators Can Be Sold as Scrap Metal?

Radiators are built of a few different metals, although a few of them aren’t worth much.

Selling scrap metal like mild steel, heavy steel, and cast iron isn’t going to make you a lot of money, and you may end up spending more time traveling to and from the scrapyard. 

Copper and brass, on the other hand, command greater prices. For brass, scrap businesses typically pay between $2.00 and $2.50 per KG, whereas copper prices vary based on the kind. 

A kilogram of heavy copper may get up to $5 in the market! The stainless steel price isn’t awful, but it doesn’t measure up to brass or copper in terms of quality. 

You’ll be lucky if you obtain $1 per KG of stainless steel scrap for your old appliances and appliances. For comparison, cast iron is typically priced between 10c and 25c per KG.

Is It Okay to Throw Away Your Radiator in a dumpster?

Yes, you may choose to dispose of your radiators in a dumpster.

Remember that most trash dumped in dumpsters is eventually disposed of in landfills. 

Therefore, it’s better if you could use only your old radiator for something useful. You may better use your dumpster for other items that can’t be recycled, such as a radiator unit that takes up a lot of room.

Is It Okay to Dispose of Radiators in Regular Trash?

No. It would be best to never dispose of a radiator in your regular trash. The trash collectors won’t bother with it. Far too much space is needed for radiators.

In some cases, you may be allowed to dispose of the radiator in a dumpster you’ve hired. However, if you can recycle something, it should be recycled.

Can You Sell Old Radiators? 

With the present state of the online market, selling or purchasing a cast iron radiator could be more accessible over the internet, with sites like eBay, and Facebook Marketplaces.

What Are the Best Practices for Reusing a Car Radiator?

You should take some procedures if you removed your radiator and seek a location where you may dispose of it. You need to remove all of the coolants from the radiator before recycling them. 

It is important to note that antifreeze is dangerous for the environment, as it may injure people and other creatures. You may recycle antifreeze in a variety of ways.

Get in touch with a local scrap metal yard after you have an empty radiator to see if they can use it. Even if metal prices are high, they should buy it from you in most circumstances, but there is no assurance. 

Call around to other metal recycling firms in your neighborhood to compare prices. There are many industries involved in radiator recycling.

Radiators are unlikely to be accepted for recycling by your curbside recycling program (especially since most do not take scrap metal at all). 

Radiators cannot be recycled in your local recycling facility, even though they may have a metal recycling bin. It’s always a good idea to check in advance. 

You can also recycle a radiator at a car repair shop or a parts store. There is a good chance they will be able to point you in the right direction if they do not accept radiators for recycling themselves.

Wrapping Up

You may recycle radiators without a problem. You’ll have to visit your local recycling center to recycle it. The environment will thank you if you recycle radiators instead of throwing them in a dumpster.

The vast majority of a radiator’s components may be reused or repurposed. As a result, it is one of the most environmentally friendly items.

The recycling facility will not accept anything that has not been cleaned and drained before being brought in.

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