The Recycling Incentive:
When it was first discovered that melding tungsten and carbon together created Tungsten Carbide; a material with three times the hardness of stainless steel, it created a huge impact on the machining industry. This is because manufacturers who made bits and other accessories commonly used in machine shops could now sell tungsten carbide pieces that were able to outperform their stainless steel counterparts. Moreover, because carbide (like stainless steel) is highly recyclable, there is also a green incentive for any machine shop to use items made out of this material.
Tungsten Carbide is not just one of the hardest substances on the planet; it is also one of the most highly valued recyclable materials today. In fact, it is so highly prized that there are carbide recyclers like Carbide-USA that offer top prices for each pound of your scrap. Amazingly, the Tungsten Industry Association has estimated that despite the high value recycling incentive, roughly 60 to 65% of tungsten carbide is simply being thrown away. However, if you would rather choose the path that allows you to be paid to recycle this material in an environmentally responsible way, then read on.
What Can Be Recycled:
Depending on what type of operation you run, there is a good chance that you are using components made of Tungsten Carbide right now including drill bits, various inserts, boring tools, end mills, and other pieces that work with your machinery. In mining operations, many of the mining tips that are actively used are also likely to be made of carbide. Even carpenters often have saw blades that are tipped with carbide. The good news is that in every case, the material is always recyclable.
Any items made of solid carbide will typically fetch the highest price per pound. Braised carbide, which consists of any pieces that are grafted to stainless steel, will go for a slightly lower rate. Even carbide manufacturers can recycle the sludge that is created as a byproduct of the grinding process. This means that once any bits, inserts, or tips being used on your shop floor wear down, you should save them to be recycled instead of throwing them away.
The Recycling Process Explained:
Recycling carbide is as easy as it is lucrative. After locating a buyer and getting a price quote, you can ship your scrap either through a heavy duty freight carrier for large quantities or through the US Postal Service for smaller amounts. You can also save a lot of money on small shipments by using medium flat rate boxes. As long as you pack and protect your carbide scrap correctly, it will not jeopardize the shipment. Once the carbide is delivered, has been sifted through, and weighed, you can expect to be reimbursed for your efforts with a check.
Found Money:
The truth is that the carbide recycling process is like hitting the jackpot when you take out your trash. Just one flat rate post office box full of carbide could easily equate to hundreds in cash. On the other hand, if you are going through a lot of carbide materials, you could stand to be consistently reimbursed for thousands at a time. By offsetting some of the costs involved with purchasing any carbide components in the first place, your business will have more money in the bank that can be put to good use. In the end, you will never find a more financially rewarding way to help your business do something environmentally conscious.
Contact Carbide-USA to help you with pricing and shipping of your Tungsten Carbide scrap and scrap steel.