Go Green and Recyle Scrap Metal
I have a habit of collecting my sterling silver scrap metal so I can eventually send it to the refiner to be recycled. It’s just the nature of the beast that some metal from a sheet is not going to be used – and some of these pieces are just too small to incorporate into anything else. Plus it's a good way to recoup some cash from inevitable workshop mistakes.
Refiners will buy back scrap metal, which can make a significant decrease in your cost of goods sold. However, it’s also a good green practice for metalsmiths. I was just amazed when I read statistics from the EPA recent Toxic Release Inventory report . They report that metal mining is the worst pollutant activity in the USA – accounting for 34% of all waste disposal.
If you buy sheet metal from huge online merchant Rio Grande, you’re probably familiar with their buy-back policy. However, most precious metal manufacturers who sell castings and findings also buy back scrap metal.
So save money and save the planet by recycling your scrap metal.
I really like this article. My husband and I used to buy bottled water by the case at least twice a week. I found a great replacement to this. We now buy water in recycable containers from the store for only .66 cents for 2 gallons instead of $4.99 a case. I saved the water bottles for one month prior to this. It is an incrediable amount of plastic trash. I now use them in craft projects, and as planters to start plants from seeds.
Recycle Everything is my moto now.
You can find uses for everything if you just have an imagination.
Hi Karen – that’s a great idea. I agree 100% – reuse everything you can.
Hi,
If you like silver and are concerned about the mining, consider working with precious metal clay. The silver used in precious metal clay is recovered from photographic processing.
Jenny