Scrap 1068262 220588486 2008-06-20T16:14:10Z Epbr123 1395162 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/70.118.120.222|70.118.120.222]] to last version by BOTarate (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) [[Image:ANewFlyerBusUnderAllThatJunkInSimsMetalScrapYard.jpg|thumb|A pile of scrap.]] '''Scrap''' may refer to anything that is leftover. For example, a [[lumber yard]] may sell left over bits of wood from manufacturing as scrap. Scrap is commonly used to describe [[Recycling|recyclable materials]] of monetary value that are [[Waste sorting|separated from trash]] or [[salvage]]d. ==Recyclable materials== {{Recycling}} [[Image:autowreckers.jpg|thumb|right|A scrapyard.]] Scrap is a term used to describe recyclable materials left over from every manner of product consumption, such as parts of vehicles, building supplies, and surplus materials. Often confused with waste, scrap in fact has monetary value and is one of the United States' largest [[export]]s.{{Fact|date=January 2008}} Overall, the scrap industry processes more than 145 million tons of recyclable material each year into raw material feedstock for industrial manufacturing around the world. The industry contributed $65 billion in 2006 and is one of the few contributing positively to the U.S. balance of trade, exporting $15.7 billion in scrap commodities in 2006. Scrap recycling also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserves energy and natural resources. For example, scrap recycling diverts 145 million tons of materials away from landfills. Recycled scrap is a raw material feedstock for 2 out of 3 pounds of steel made in the U.S., for 60% of the metals and alloys produced in the U.S., for more than 50% of the U.S. paper industry’s needs, and for 33% of U.S. aluminum. Recycled scrap helps keep air and water cleaner by removing potentially hazardous materials and keeping them out of landfills. Scrap is often taken to a wrecking yard (known colloquially as a scrapyard), where it is processed for later melting into new products. A '''scrapyard''' (also known as a '''breaker's yard'''), depending on its location, may allow customers to browse their lot and purchase items before they are sent to the [[smelter]]s although many scrap yards that deal in large quantities of scrap usually do not, often selling entire units such as [[engine]]s or [[machinery]] by weight with no regard to their functional status. Customers are typically required to supply all of their own tools and labor to extract parts, and some scrapyards may first require waiving [[liability]] for [[personal injury]] before entering. Many scrapyards also sell bulk metals ([[stainless steel]], etc) by weight, often at prices substantially below the retail purchasing costs of similar pieces. In contrast to a [[Wrecking yard|wrecker]]s, scrapyards typically sell everything by weight, rather than by item. To the scrapyard, the primary value of the scrap is what the smelter will give them for it, rather than the value of whatever shape the metal may be in. An auto wrecker, on the other hand, would price the exact same scrap based on what the item does, regardless of what it weighs. Typically, if a wrecker can not sell something above the value of the metal in it, they would then take it to the scrapyard and sell it by weight. Equipment containing parts of various metals can often be purchased at a price below that of either of the metals, due to saving the scrapyard the labor of separating the metals before shipping them to be recycled. As an example, a scrapyard in [[Arcata, California]] sells automobile engines for [[United States dollar|$]]0.25 per [[pound (mass)|pound]], while [[aluminum]], of which the engine is mostly made, sells for $1.25 per pound. Note that in the scrap metal industry a great potential exists for accidents in which a hazardous material present in scrap causes [[death]], [[injury]] or environmental damage. A classic example is [[Radioactive scrap metal|radioactivity in scrap]]; see the [[Goiânia accident]] for an example of an accident involving radioactive material which entered the scrap metal industry and some details of the behavior of contaminating [[chemical element]]s in metal [[smelter]]s. The general nature of many of the tools used in scrapyards such as [[Alligator shear]], which cut metal using hydraulics give themselves the need for safety. ==See also== *[[Recyclable waste]] *[[Ship breaking]] *[[Metal theft]] ==References== <references/> {{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}} ==External links== {{commonscat|Scrap metal}} {{Wiktionarypar|scrap}} *[http://www.jadealliancemetal.com Scrap Metal & Iron Recycling ISRI, BIR, CMRA] *[http://scrap-metal-recycling.americanscrapmetal.com Scrap metal recycling]A brief story on metal use & recycling *[http://www.isri.org ISRI] Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc (ISRI) *[http://www.recyclemetals.org BMRA] The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) *[http://www.southerncrossmetalrecyclers.com.au/ ASMR] Scrap Metal Library - Scrap Materials Reference Compendium *[http://www.steelbay.net/index.php?page=scrap&filter=all Scrap market price report] Updated monthly {{waste}} [[Category:Recyclable materials]] [[Category:Waste]] [[da:Skrot]] [[de:Schrott]] [[es:Chatarra]] [[fr:Ferraille]] [[it:Cascame]] [[he:מיחזור מתכת]] [[ja:スクラップ]] [[nrm:Férâle]] [[pl:Szrot]] [[ru:Металлолом]] [[fi:Romurauta]] [[sv:Skrot]]