copper recycling for $?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Cynette

I'd be very apprehensive of this as a project to collect from the community. I'm not saying it can't be done as Adam's team sounds like they have figured it out.

But... Many communities in our area have been hit by a large number of instances of vandalism involving theft of metal components, particularly copper. Scrap metal processors typically now require documentation as to the source of metals when brought to their yards. So be careful of your sources and be careful of overzealous collectors.

I'm the manager of my manufacturing location's "Recycle Center" and our scrap revenue is an important source of income for our facility and carefully monitored. I would never consider giving up one of my largest value streams as a donation. I would have to believe that most other manufacturing locations have the same belief. Even small companies should have recycling programs. (Especially in Connecticut, where recycling is mandated.)

We tried to do an e-waste event this fall, but most of the recycling companies around here charge for monitors and TV's, which makes it hard to promote in a community.

But I would like to see teams take the initiative to recycle the metals left from each build season. Our team's scrap goes with the school's scrap metal, and I think that is fair for all of the support they give us.

Most of our industry based donations are from places that aren't heavy into manufacture. We never get material from our machining sponsors to scrap our (although sometimes we get some nice chunks to make parts out of). Most of them are from automotive people, plumbers, HVAC, etc...

We also run an ewaste event biannually, and usually make $1500 each time alone on the ewaste itself, a good deal in scrap metal, and then another good deal in parts/components we resell.

In my opinion it is hour per hour less profitable than various other fundraising methods, but there are students that simply do not want, and will never, go out and solicit donations by talking. This is a good fit for those students.

At a minimum I would recommended each team at least keep their own scrap wire and metal to recycle. Even if it only comes out to $100 a year, that's $100!