If a magnet sticks, the item may be steel or iron. Some stainless steel also attracts a magnet.
Materials Center
What canyou bring toPK METALS?
Explore common items we recycle. Not sure what you have? Call our team before your visit.
Coram, New York
Long Island & Greater New York
Start with the clues
How do I recognize it?
These clues can help, but they do not give a final identification. You do not need to know the exact metal type before visiting.
Copper is reddish, brass looks yellow-gold, and aluminum is usually silver-gray. Paint and coatings can hide the color.
Aluminum usually feels light for its size. Similar-looking metals can weigh more. Weight is only a clue.
01 / Material class
Non-ferrous
Metals without iron as their primary ingredient.
Copper, brass & aluminum
Non-ferrous metals
Often non-magnetic and resistant to rust, these metals are used in electrical, transportation, construction and manufacturing systems.
Common items
Electrical wire, copper plumbing pipes, brass taps and fittings.
Before your visit
Keep copper and brass separate from other metals when possible.
Ask our team
Not sure whether an item is copper or brass? Our team can help.
Common items
Aluminum wheels, window frames, siding and sheet metal.
Before your visit
Keep aluminum separate from steel and other metals when possible.
Ask our team
Paint and coatings can make identification harder. Ask our team if you are unsure.
Common items
Metal weights, roof flashing and selected cast industrial parts.
Before your visit
Keep these items separate from other scrap.
Ask our team
Call before bringing lead, zinc or an unidentified specialty metal.
02 / Material class
Ferrous
Iron-based strength ready for another production cycle.
Steel, iron & stainless steel
Ferrous metals
Steel and iron form the backbone of buildings, vehicles, infrastructure and equipment. They are durable, sortable and widely recyclable.
Common items
Steel pipes, beams, fencing, shelving, tools and machinery.
Before your visit
Keep loose items together and secure the load for transport.
Ask our team
Call ahead for large, heavy or unusual items so we can discuss unloading.
Common items
Stainless steel sinks, commercial kitchen equipment and tanks.
Before your visit
Keep stainless steel separate from ordinary steel when possible.
Ask our team
A magnet alone cannot confirm the type. Our team can help identify it.
Common items
Complete vehicles, engine parts, brake rotors and heavy machinery parts.
Before your visit
Call our team before arranging transport to the yard.
Ask our team
We can explain acceptance, any required paperwork and unloading arrangements.
03 / Material class
Other streams
Useful resources exist beyond conventional scrap metal.
Electronics & more
Other material streams
Electronics and selected specialty materials can contain recoverable resources. Call our team to confirm acceptance before your visit.
Common items
Computers, servers, circuit boards, cables and other electronic equipment.
Before your visit
Keep equipment intact and separate from loose metal scrap.
Ask our team
Call to confirm acceptance. Tell us about batteries or private data on devices.
Common items
Circuit boards, selected electronic components and specialty industrial parts.
Before your visit
Keep these items separate so our team can review them.
Ask our team
Call to discuss your items. Valuable metal content cannot be confirmed by appearance alone.
The circular path
What happens after the scale?
Recycling is not the end of a material's story. It is the start of its next production cycle.
Plan your next step
Ready to bring your material?
Check our yard hours and directions. If you are unsure about an item, call before loading.