Stainless steel has become a key player in our household utensils and appliances, vehicles, medical tools, and construction equipment. It’s an alloy that often contains other elements or metals, creating different grades of stainless steel that serve unique purposes. Stainless steel has become so central to our tools and products because it’s tough, versatile, non-porous, and sustainable.
What makes it sustainable? Recycling! Let’s explore stainless steel recycling to learn what stainless steel items you can recycle, how it works, and more at Sutter Metals.
Is Stainless Steel Recyclable?
The first question is whether stainless steel is recyclable, and the simple answer is, yes. The majority of stainless steel can be recycled. However, stainless steel comes in dozens of different grades–which categorize its composition, properties, and uses. The stainless steel grade that’s used for your coffee thermos probably isn’t the same as what’s used for construction machinery.Â
While most stainless steel grades can be recycled, some are more valuable and efficient to recycle than others. Consequently, stainless steel typically has to be carefully sorted by grade for recycling.
Where to Recycle Stainless Steel
Take note that stainless steel probably isn’t recyclable in your curbside bin. You’ll most likely need to take it to a recycling facility or scrap yard, which you can find in your area with a resource like Earth911. If you’re in the Tacoma, Lacey, or Centralia, WA areas, just bring it to Sutter Metals!
Recycling vs. Reusing
Before you take your stainless steel to a recycling facility, though, consider whether it can be reused. There’s no denying the benefits of recycling, and it’s almost always a better alternative to throwing something away. But while recycling might be one of the best things we can do for our planet, simply using less in the first place is arguably the best thing we can do.
Many stainless steel items, such as construction equipment or medical tools, probably can’t be reused if they’re no longer functional. But your household stainless steel products might have additional uses. Even if you can’t reuse the item, you may be able to donate or sell it to someone who can. Always try to use something to its fullest potential before recycling it, which reduces our need to buy new items and use more materials.
What Stainless Steel Items Can Be Recycled?
At Sutter Metals, we recycle many kinds of metal and stainless steel. If you’re not sure if it can be recycled, just ask! We can evaluate your stainless steel items to determine if they’re recyclable and give you a quote for their value. Here are some common types of stainless steel that can often be recycled:
- Kitchen utensils and containers, such as pots, cutlery, baking sheets, and stainless steel water bottles
- Household appliances, including refrigerators and dishwashers
- Industrial equipment like tanks and machinery components
- Medical tools, such as laboratory and surgical instruments
- Construction materials like pipes, roofing materials, and beams
Preparing Stainless Steel for Recycling
No matter what you’re recycling, you typically need to clean it up first. When you throw plastics and cardboard into your curbside recycling bin, they may not get recycled at all if you don’t take the time to remove food residue and other debris. So before recycling a stainless steel water bottle or appliance, give it a quick wash.
Stainless Steel Recycling at Sutter Metals
For stainless steel recycling in Tacoma and the surrounding areas, Sutter Metals has you covered. You can call ahead or bring your stainless steel to one of our locations to see if we can recycle it and get a quote. We also offer other recycling services, such as bins for project sites and hauling junk vehicles.
Recycle Stainless Steel at Sutter Metals Today!
If you’ve got scrap metal, we’ve got a recycling solution! Sutter Metals offers competitive prices for your scrap metal and efficient, effective recycling to keep our beautiful state green. Call us today at (253) 533-6253 or stop by to learn about our stainless steel recycling and other services, check if your metal is recyclable, and get a quote.