Author: Bob Shallenberger

Interco Recycles Utility Meters

Interco Recycles Utility Meters

Interco works closely with utility companies to recycle utility meters and other scrap products. The Interco facility processes over 20 million pounds of escrap and nonferrous metals per month. Recycling scrap utility products such as decommissioned meters allows companies to increase their bottom lines while also maintaining an environmentally friendly stance. Companies around the world rely on Interco for safe and secure utility recycling.

Utility Meter Recycling Process

recycle utility meters

Interco recycles all types of utility meters including electric meters, gas meters, brass water meters, and electric water meters. Many older utility meters are being decommissioned and replaced by smart meters. As a result, piles of scrap utility meters are growing. Storing these out of date meters can be costly for utility companies. Interco solves this problem by offering the recycle of utility meters.

The process of recycling electric meters is easy and efficient with Interco:

  1. Firstly, expert staff detach the steel rings and collars from the scrap meters.
  2. Next, the staff removes any precious metals from the meters.
  3. Then, the circuit boards are disconnected and removed.
  4. Lastly, these metals and electronic components are sent to other areas of the facility for further processing.

The Interco Facility is Equipped for Large-Scale Scrap Metal Recycling

recycle nonferrous metals

Interco recycles scrap utility meters at their the 450,000+ square foot recycling facility. The Interco recycling facility is comprised of seven buildings on more than 45 acres centrally located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis in the shadows of the Gateway Arch. The Interco recycling facility processes over 20 million pounds of material per month. The facility boasts a 145,000 square foot processing plant dedicated to the processing of computers and electronics. The nonferrous metal recycling processes use the remainder of the indoor facility.

Some aspects of scrap metal recycling can be dangerous. The staff at Interco is highly qualified to safely recycle high-risk materials. Several certifications demonstrate the company’s commitment to safe and secure recycling practices:

  • ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems
  • ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
  • R2v3 – Responsible Recycling Standards
  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

Interco Recycles Nonferrous Metals for the Utility Industry

scrap utility meters

Interco processes over 12 million pounds of nonferrous material each month. The company uses several different processes to recycle nonferrous metals found in utility meters:

  1. Firstly, both mechanical separators and hand sorting techniques separate metals according to grade.
  2. Secondly, if necessary, the materials undergo processing in the metallic powder and dust separation plant.
  3. Next, a machine shreds the sorted metals into smaller pieces.
  4. Lastly, the company ships sorted, graded, and processed metals to end customers. These customers will refine and smelt the metal into ingots for manufacturers to use to make new products.

Maximizing ROI for Scrap Utility Meters

utility scrap

Unlike many recyclers, Interco has many years of experience in mixed load recycling of nonferrous metals and electronic scrap. The company receives approximately 50 mixed loads each day equaling one load every nine minutes. Additionally, Interco understands that many suppliers are unable to obtain the necessary inbound load minimum required by smelters, refineries, and manufacturers. When a supplier recycles metal scrap with Interco, a mixed load can contain five to ten different items. For example, items could include dross, skimmings, powder, and off-specification parts, among others.

The Interco commercial department has established contracts with smelters, refineries, manufacturers, and mills across the world. Interco sorts, grades, and processes materials into smelter-ready metals, therefore, the need for a middleman or broker is eliminated. As a result, smelters and refineries rely on Interco as a supplier to provide a recurring stream of material. Additionally, the contracts with these companies allow Interco to pay top dollar to their sellers. Therefore, the company is typically able to buy scrap utility meters higher prices than other recyclers who must search for an end consumer.

Choose Interco to Recycle Utility Meters

Interco recycles nonferrous metals including utility scrap. The company specializes in the subsequent placement of smelter-ready materials to end consumers across the globe. The company ships sorted, graded, and repackaged nonferrous scrap worldwide. The Interco commercial department utilizes established partnerships in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia to provide the highest return on investment to their customers. As a result, utility companies all over the world rely on Interco for scrap metal recycling.

recycle utility meters

Interco Recycles Salvage Scrap

Interco Recycles Salvage Scrap

Interco recycles salvage scrap as it operates one of the largest indoor nonferrous recycling facilities in North America. The company has been recycling nonferrous metals, including those found in automotive technologies, since 1996. Interco also processes more than 400 different metal alloys, electronics, and auto parts at any given time. The company uses specialized equipment and other sorting techniques to obtain the most scrap value out of the scrap automotive parts. With 100+ expert employees, nonferrous grading experts, and a large recycling facility, recycling salvage scrap in mixed or straight loads is easy.

Interco Processes Scrap Automotive Parts on a Large-Scale

salvage scrap

Interco remains a large volume buyer of scrap automotive parts. Unlike other recycling facilities who only process straight loads, Interco processes 50+ mixed loads of materials each day – that’s approximately 1 load ever 9 minutes. As a result, Interco processes close to a quarter-billion pounds of materials every year.

Other recycling facilities may act as brokers or the “middleman.” In contrast, Interco takes delivery of material at its 400,000+ square foot facility centrally located on the Illinois side of St. Louis. The facility processes these materials specifically for smelters, refineries, ingot makers, and metal mills worldwide.

The Interco team has experience sorting the different scrap automotive parts, including the following:

  • Aluminum wheels and wheel weights
  • Transmissions
  • Auto Radiators
  • Harness Wire
  • Auto AC Compressors
  • Alternators and starters
  • Lead-Acid Auto Batteries
  • Electrical Vehicle Batteries

Interco Provides a Reliable Source of Materials

scrap automotive parts

Having large amounts of land and increased business is what allows Interco to recycle large amounts of scrap auto parts and provide a recurring flow of materials to end clients. Most ingot makers, smelters, and mills require an inbound load of 40,000 pounds. However, smaller recycling companies simply cannot generate enough material nor have the financial wherewithal to accumulate large amounts to satisfy the needs of the global smelting and refining market. Thus, ingot makers, smelters, and mills rely on Interco to provide a recurring stream of materials.

The Interco Commercial Department Maximizes ROI for Scrap Auto Parts

recycle scrap auto parts

Interco can offer the best pricing on these materials by generating a consistently high volume of metals through mixed and straight loads of nonferrous scrap. Interco takes a leading position in the marketplace and provides scrap metals in specific alloys, grades, quantities, forms, and amounts to end consumers worldwide over a contracted period. Usually this amounts to a premium sale and a higher price paid by Interco to its supplier clients.

Interco understands the metal market and the trading department reacts according to pricing trends. Since the market does constantly fluctuate, it is important that the Interco commercial trading department has contracts with these smelters and refineries worldwide. This helps hedge against a quickly changing marketplace – always giving end clients fair prices for clean and quality metal. Additionally, Interco matches specific the metallurgical chemistries with the ideal end consumers. Thus, Interco can sell materials in straight loads for the best market price.

Interco Specializes in Recycling Scrap Auto Parts

salvage scrap

Interco specializes in the recycle of salvage scrap parts – including complex materials. The expert Interco staff combined with the large facility size makes Interco a perfect choice as a partner for recycling automotive materials – including auto batteries. Interco is the largest EV battery recycler in North America, if not the world.

Interco has dismantling and separation lines, safety procedures, and certifications dedicated to process all types of automotive parts. In fact, Interco leads the way with innovative recycling solutions – as the company has for the past 25 years. The Interco recycling facility expands through new contracts, new equipment, and new recycling solutions. Interco also maintains the latest recycling certifications that provide up-to-date recycling knowledge and training. Lastly, Interco has four patents pending to improve the safety and efficiency of recycling processes. Therefore, the facility has the tools, experience, and resources needed to process scrap auto parts.

Recycling auto salvage scrap includes the following steps:

  1. Removing the metallic parts from the decommissioned automotive or unused parts stockpile.
  2. Sorting ferrous metals from nonferrous metals – usually as easy as using a sorting line with a magnetic shaker table, conveyors, and trained recycling technicians.
  3. Using a handheld metal analyzer or spectrometer to determine the specific metal alloy of the nonferrous metals before they can be processed.
  4. Decontaminating and removing any other parts, attachments, or appendages that do not match the core alloy. This can be done through hand separation, mechanical separation, or by utilizing a shredder or pre-shredder.
  5. Aggregating like metal alloys and packaging them in bags or boxes or by baling the material – depending on the requirement of the end-consumer.

Choose Interco to Recycle Scrap Auto Parts

Interco recycles salvage scrap parts while offering competitive pricing and quality service throughout the supply chain. Since 1996, Interco has used innovative recycling solutions to generate the highest recoverable scrap metals. Having the highest recoverable scrap maximizes the return on investment for supplier clients looking to sell their scrap auto parts. As a further convenience, Interco sells and delivers truckloads of smelter-ready materials globally — using the 30+ van trailers. The logistics team, the administrative office, and the operations departments assist with buying, delivering, and selling scrap materials. The dedicated fleet ships nonferrous scrap to established partnerships in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. As a result, companies all over the nation choose Interco to recycle salvage scrap.

recycle scrap auto parts

Interco Recycles Batteries

Interco Recycles Batteries

Interco – A Metaltronics Recycler recycles batteries of all at their centrally located facility on the Illinois side of St. Louis. The battery processing plant at Interco uses state-of-the-art recycling techniques and safety features. Interco is the largest lithium-ion battery recycler in North America, processing over 2,000 tons of recycled lithium-ion batteries per month. However, Interco recycles more than just lithium-ion batteries. With over 25 years of experience, Interco is a leader in the metaltronics recycling industry.

State-of-the-Art Battery Recycling Plant

recycle batteries

Interco’s 45+ acre industrial complex is centrally located on the Illinois side of St. Louis, across the Mississippi from the Gateway Arch. The 400,000 square foot facility has 7 buildings with a designated battery processing plant. Expert staff are committed to providing the best value for automotive scrap including lithium-ion and NiMH batteries, wheels, and other auto parts. Interco’s team has over 150 years of combined experience in non-ferrous metal grading. This experience allows Interco to offer competitive pricing for high quality metals.

The 40,000 square foot battery processing plant currently has four patents pending for the creation of original battery recycling techniques. The state-of-the-art battery plant has fire detection and suppression systems, as well as Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) programs in place to ensure the safety of company staff. The EH&S programs include:

  • Job Hazard and PPE Program
  • Combustible Dust Program
  • Lithium-Ion Emergency Response Program
  • Hearing Conservation Program
  • Air Sampling/Respirator/Dermal Protection Programs

In addition, the staff at Interco is highly qualified to safely recycle high-risk materials such as batteries. Several certifications demonstrate the company’s commitment to safe and secure recycling practices:

  • ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems
  • ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
  • R2v3 – Responsible Recycling Standards
  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems

Interco Recycles Lithium-Ion Batteries

battery recycling

Lithium-ion batteries are highly rechargeable batteries typically found in consumer electronics such as laptops, cellphones, and more. Also, electric vehicle batteries are typically lithium-ion batteries as well. Lithium-ion batteries often contain cobalt, nickel, copper, and other precious metals.

Interco uses pyrometallurgical treatments to process large volumes of li-ion batteries and extract these metals without solid or liquid waste. This treatment process is more efficient than leaching or physical processes, resulting in higher quantities of recovered materials and better prices for our customers. To safely recycle batteries, Interco follows specific policies and procedures:

  1. Discharging – Interco discharges battery packs, modules, and cells prior to processing.
  2. Dismantling – Staff disassembles packs by hand. If necessary, pack are broken down to the cell level using the Module Breaker.
  3. Inertization – The Interco team removes organic components such as plastic, electrolytes, epoxies, and glue.
  4. Shredding – Machinery shreds the remaining components.
  5. Metal Recovery – Interco mechanically separates nickel and cobalt powders from foil substrates. 

Interco Recycles Lead-Acid Batteries

recycle lead acid batteries

Interco recycles lead-acid batteries. Lead-acid batteries are primarily used in automobiles, motorcycles, and golf carts. Manufacturers and other industrialists also use lead-acid batteries in industrial heavy equipment and forklifts as well. Lead-acid batteries are also very reliable as backup or auxiliary power as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) in computers, data centers, telecommunication and hospitals. Because of the reliability of these batteries, manufacturers rely on Interco to extract the maximum material value so they can produce more batteries. Firstly, Interco shreds whole batteries to sort the plastic and lead. Then staff separates and cleans the materials. Finally, Interco drains and neutralizes the acid.

The Importance of Battery Recycling

recycle batteries

Most batteries, regardless of type, contain toxic chemicals that pose major environmental and human health risks. Cadmium, lead, lithium, and sulfuric acid can cause problems when not properly disposed of. The toxic materials can leak out of the batteries and contaminate the soil and groundwater, damage fragile ecosystems, and even make their way into the food chain. They can also short-circuit, overheat, and cause a fire.

Additionally, recycling batteries means that metals such as nickel, lithium, and cobalt can be reused in the manufacture of new goods, even new batteries. Therefore, the more batteries that are recycled, the less that must be mined.

Choose Interco to Recycle Batteries

Interco has been a leader in the metaltronics recycling industry since 1996. Their expert staff combined with Interco’s impressive facility assure safe and secure battery recycling. As a result, companies all over the world choose Interco to recycle batteries of all types.

recycle lithium ion batteries

Interco Recycles Gun Range Scrap

Interco Recycles Gun Range Scrap

recycle ammo

Gun ranges depend on Interco to recycle gun range scrap in large amounts. Founded in 1996, Interco has grown from an electronic scrap recycling company to a processor of nonferrous metals, including scrap ammunition. The Interco recycling facility buys and recycles scraps ammunition to accumulate enough metal to sell back to refineries and smelters. Interco can also sell these metals back to ammunition manufacturers – effectively reintroducing the metal back into the industry cycle. Interco staff utilize the ammo separation line to get the most scrap value out of ammunition for reselling and repurposing. Additionally, the company remains one of the largest indoor nonferrous recycling facilities in North America and is located on the Illinois side of St. Louis in Madison, Illinois.

The Interco Facility Recycles Scrap Ammunition

gun range scrap

Interco buys, processes, and recycles scrap ammunition at the 450,000+ square foot recycling facility. The Interco recycling facility is comprised of seven buildings on more than 45 acres centrally located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis in the shadows of the Gateway Arch. The Interco recycling facility processes over 20 million pounds of material per month. The facility boasts a 145,000 square foot processing plant dedicated to the processing of computers and electronics. The nonferrous metal recycling processes, including the recycle of gun range scrap, use the remainder of the indoor facility.

Scrap ammunition is typically made with brass, aluminum, or steel – all valuable metals that can be processed and recycled. Chrome, nickel, silver, or gold sometimes coats the ammunition which then requires additional processing. Companies who accumulate large amounts of used ammunition rely on companies like Interco to recycle this gun range scrap. Gun ranges, gun stores, and ammunition manufacturers all face the issue of how to handle large amounts of used ammunition. Interco works with these organizations to buy and recycle scrap ammunition, primarily brass shells, so it can be reused within the industry.

Basic components of ammunition that are recyclable include:

The Ammo Separation Line

scrap ammunition

Interco employees use the ammo separation line to decontaminate and scrap the metals found in ammunition. The facility utilizes state-of-the-art separation technology to process scrap ammunition.

The ammo separation line consists of the following steps:

  1. Firstly, line workers sort the shells by metal type.
  2. The shells are then cleaned to remove any impurities like lead or dirt.
  3. The shells go through quality inspection.
  4. Lastly, they are packaged and loaded for transport.

Importance of Range Lead Recycling

recycle scrap ammo

In addition to scrap ammunition like brass shells, Interco recycles other gun range scrap such as range lead. Currently, the United States recycles about 1.2 million metric tons of lead each year. However, this number could be much higher as there are thousands of outdoor shooting ranges across North America. Although lead has been proven to be a poor choice for many once common applications, it is still used in a variety of others. Lead acid batteries are one of the top demanders of lead. Lead bricks are also still commonly used in radiation containment.

Major environmental and human health concerns can result from lead that ends up in landfills or stays in the soil. Gun ranges are a notable concern as many of them are outdoors. Recycling range lead will reduce the amount of soil contamination, provide another revenue stream for gun ranges, and prove their commitment to sustainable practices.

Interco Recycles Gun Range Scrap for Smelters and Refineries

gun range scrap

Interco specializes in producing smelter-ready materials for smelters, foundries, and mills worldwide. The staff at Interco has over 150 years of combined experience in sorting and grading nonferrous metals. The company staff matches specific metallurgical chemistries of these ammunition metals with the ideal end consumers, therefore, increasing the payout for supplier clients.

In addition, the commercial trading department at Interco has established contracts with suppliers and end consumers around the globe. End consumers such as smelters often require inbound loads weigh at least 40,000 pounds. Many recycling companies cannot generate this much, but Interco can by using contracting partners. However, these end consumers rely on Interco to provide a recurring stream of material. Established contracts allow Interco to pay higher prices than other recycling companies who must search for an end consumer.

Gun Ranges use Interco to Recycle Ammunition

Interco has the experience and innovative recycling processes needed to efficiently recycle scrap ammunition. For example, the company recycles brass shells use the ammo separation line to sort, clean, and pack scrap ammunition for transport. As a result, gun ranges across North America rely on Interco to recycle scrap ammunition.

Interco Recycles Ammunition

Interco Recycles Ammunition

recycle ammunition

Gun ranges depend on Interco to recycle ammunition in large amounts. Founded in 1996, Interco has grown from an electronic scrap recycling company to a processor of nonferrous metals, including scrap ammunition. The Interco recycling facility buys and recycles scraps ammunition to accumulate enough metal to sell back to refineries and smelters. Interco can also sell these metals back to ammunition manufacturers – effectively reintroducing the metal back into the industry cycle. Interco staff utilize the ammo separation line to get the most scrap value out of ammunition for reselling and repurposing. Additionally, the company remains one of the largest indoor nonferrous recycling facilities in North America and is located on the Illinois side of St. Louis in Madison, Illinois.

The Interco Facility Recycles Scrap Ammunition

scrap ammunition

Interco buys, processes, and recycles scrap ammunition at the 450,000+ square foot recycling facility. The Interco recycling facility is comprised of seven buildings on more than 45 acres centrally located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis in the shadows of the Gateway Arch. The Interco recycling facility processes over 20 million pounds of material per month. The facility boasts a 145,000 square foot processing plant dedicated to the processing of computers and electronics. The nonferrous metal recycling processes, including the recycle of ammunition, use the remainder of the indoor facility.

Scrap ammunition is typically made with brass, aluminum, or steel – all valuable metals that can be processed and recycled. Chrome, nickel, silver, or gold sometimes coats the ammunition which then requires additional processing. Companies who accumulate large amounts of used ammunition rely on companies like Interco to recycle these metals. Gun ranges, gun stores, and ammunition manufacturers all face the issue of how to handle large amounts of used ammunition. Interco works with these organizations to buy and recycle scrap ammunition so it can be reused within the industry.

Basic components of ammunition that are recyclable include:

Interco Recycles Brass Shells

recycle ammo

Interco recycles brass shells, cartridges, tactical munitions, and artillery shells – brass shells being the most recycled component of ammunition. While recycling brass shells can seem challenging to some facilities, Interco offers efficient recycling solutions to supplier and buyer clients. For example, employees use both hand and mechanical processes to sort the brass shells and ensure safe practices. Interco does not buy live or expired rounds due to their hazardous nature. The facility decontaminates these brass shells using the ammo separation line and then packages the leftover product into boxes for easy transport.

The Ammo Separation Line

Interco employees use the ammo separation line to decontaminate and scrap the metals found in ammunition. The facility utilizes state-of-the-art separation technology to process scrap ammunition.

The ammo separation line consists of the following steps:

  1. Firstly, line workers sort the shells by metal type.
  2. The shells are then cleaned to remove any impurities like lead or dirt.
  3. The shells go through quality inspection.
  4. Lastly, they are packaged and loaded for transport.

Interco Recycles Ammunition for Smelters and Refineries

recycle scrap ammo

Interco specializes in producing smelter-ready materials for smelters, foundries, and mills worldwide. The staff at Interco has over 150 years of combined experience in sorting and grading nonferrous metals. The company staff matches specific metallurgical chemistries of these ammunition metals with the ideal end consumers, therefore, increasing the payout for supplier clients.

In addition, the commercial trading department at Interco has established contracts with suppliers and end consumers around the globe. End consumers such as smelters often require inbound loads weigh at least 40,000 pounds. Many recycling companies cannot generate this much, but Interco can by using contracting partners. However, these end consumers rely on Interco to provide a recurring stream of material. Established contracts allow Interco to pay higher prices than other recycling companies who must search for an end consumer.

Gun Ranges use Interco to Recycle Ammunition

Interco has the experience and innovative recycling processes needed to efficiently recycle scrap ammunition. For example, the company recycles brass shells use the ammo separation line to sort, clean, and pack scrap ammunition for transport. As a result, the military, gun ranges, and ammunition manufacturers all rely on Interco to recycle ammunition.

Interco Recycles E-Scrap

Interco Recycles E-Scrap

Founded in 1996 as an e-scrap recycler and processor, Interco leads the industry in e-scrap recycling. Expert staff are committed to providing the highest value for nonferrous metals and e-scrap. The facility processes over 4 million pounds of e-scrap per month. Interco recycles e-scrap including outdated equipment, laptops, cell phones and more. Recycling electronics such as cell phones conserves natural resources by keeping reusable materials out of landfills. As a result, companies around the world rely on Interco for safe and secure e-scrap recycling.

Interco was Founded to Recycle E-Scrap

recycle escrap

Interco was founded in 1996 as a recycling and refurbishing electronics company. The company recycles difficult to process networking equipment, lithium-ion batteries, and other e-scrap materials. The e-scrap dismantling line processes all types of e-scrap according to the following steps:

  1. Staff breaks the casing down with a hammer or hammering mill.
  2. The facility separates the individual components (plastic, glass, copper, and other metallic materials).
  3. Employees take these individual components to their dedicated recycling points for further processing.
  4. The facility packs non-recyclable materials and properly disposing of them in an efficient manner.

Interco recycles e-scrap at their the 450,000+ square foot recycling facility. The Interco recycling facility is comprised of seven buildings on more than 45 acres centrally located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis in the shadows of the Gateway Arch. The Interco recycling facility processes over 20 million pounds of material per month. The facility boasts a 145,000 square foot processing plant dedicated to the processing of computers and electronics.

Some aspects of e-scrap recycling can be dangerous. However, the staff at Interco is highly qualified to safely recycle high-risk materials. For example, several certifications demonstrate the company’s commitment to safe and secure recycling practices:

  • R2v3 – Responsible Recycling Standards
  • ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems
  • ISO 9001 – Quality Management Systems
  • ISO 45001 – Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series Management Systems

Recycle Cellphones to Keep Reusable Materials out of Landfills

scrap electronics

Up to 80% of a cell phone is reusable. Therefore, Interco buys, sorts, and recycles cellphones. About 350,000 cellphones are thrown into landfills each day, totaling over 150 million phones per year. One million recycled cellphones are the equivalent of:

  • 35,274 pounds of copper
  • 772 pounds of silver
  • 75 pounds of gold
  • 33 pounds of palladium

After separating and sorting the cell phone materials, Interco sells them to refineries, smelters, or back to cell phone manufacturers. In addition to reducing the need to mine for precious metals, recycling cell phones has environmental value. Interco recycles e-scrap to keep hazardous material such as lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium from polluting the environment.

Recycle Scrap Electronics for Maximum ROI

recycle electronics

E-scrap contains metals such as copper, silver, gold, pallidum, and aluminum. Utilizing the e-scrap dismantling line, Interco recovers the highest possible reusable materials from telecom equipment. This line separates wire types, motherboards, batteries, printed circuit boards, and other electronic components from in telecom equipment. Following separation of items, expert staff expertly sort metals to ensure the highest quality of metal for the end consumer. Interco has more than 25 years of experience in the recycle of e-scrap.

Using recycling methods to recover valuable metals is typically more cost-effective than traditional methods. For example, recycling one ton of circuit boards can recover up to 800 times more gold and 40 times more copper than mining one ton of ore. In addition, recycled lithium-ion batteries often contain higher amount of nickel and cobalt than ore.

The Importance of E-Scrap Recycling

recycle cell phones

Scrap computers and electronics have various toxic and hazardous chemicals and materials. Without proper disposal, these toxic chemicals can seep into the environment. With a relatively short lifespan, electronics become e-waste at a quick pace. Millions of electronic devices such as mobile phones, TVs, computers, laptops, and tablets reach the end of their useful life every year.

Despite their valuable components, e-scrap materials often end up in landfills. Recycling e-scrap such as computers and electronics allows for recyclers like Interco to collect the valuable materials, save natural resources, reduce pollution, conserve landfill space, and create jobs.

Choose Interco to Recycle E-Scrap

Using their innovative recycling techniques, Interco can recover high amounts of reusable materials from scrap electronics. The expert staff has many years of experience sorting and dismantling e-scrap to generate the highest recover scrap value and maximize return for the company’s suppliers. Therefore, companies around the world choose to recycle e-scrap with the Interco team.

recycle escrap

Interco Recycles Scrap Auto Parts

Interco Recycles Scrap Auto Parts

Interco recycles scrap auto parts as it operates one of the largest indoor nonferrous recycling facilities in North America. The company has been recycling nonferrous metals, including those found in automotive technologies, since 1996. Interco also processes more than 400 different metal alloys, electronics, and auto parts at any given time. The company uses specialized equipment and other sorting techniques to obtain the most scrap value out of the scrap automotive parts. With 100+ expert employees, nonferrous grading experts, and a large recycling facility, recycling scrap auto parts in mixed or straight loads is easy.

Interco Processes Scrap Automotive Parts on a Large-Scale

recycle scrap auto parts

Interco remains a large volume buyer of scrap automotive parts. Unlike other recycling facilities who only process straight loads, Interco processes 50+ mixed loads of materials each day – that’s approximately 1 load ever 9 minutes. As a result, Interco processes close to a quarter-billion pounds of materials every year.

Other recycling facilities may act as brokers or the “middleman.” In contrast, Interco takes delivery of material at its 400,000+ square foot facility centrally located on the Illinois side of St. Louis. The facility processes these materials specifically for smelters, refineries, ingot makers, and metal mills worldwide.

The Interco team has experience sorting the different scrap automotive parts, including the following:

  • Aluminum wheels and wheel weights
  • Transmissions
  • Auto Radiators
  • Harness Wire
  • Auto AC Compressors
  • Alternators and starters
  • Lead-Acid Auto Batteries
  • Electrical Vehicle Batteries

Interco Provides a Reliable Source of Materials

scrap automotive parts

Having large amounts of land and increased business is what allows Interco to recycle large amounts of scrap auto parts and provide a recurring flow of materials to end clients. Most ingot makers, smelters, and mills require an inbound load of 40,000 pounds. However, smaller recycling companies simply cannot generate enough material nor have the financial wherewithal to accumulate large amounts to satisfy the needs of the global smelting and refining market. Thus, ingot makers, smelters, and mills rely on Interco to provide a recurring stream of materials.

The Interco Commercial Department Maximizes ROI for Scrap Auto Parts

recycle auto parts

Interco can offer the best pricing on these materials by generating a consistently high volume of metals through mixed and straight loads of nonferrous scrap. Interco takes a leading position in the marketplace and provides scrap metals in specific alloys, grades, quantities, forms, and amounts to end consumers worldwide over a contracted period. Usually this amounts to a premium sale and a higher price paid by Interco to its supplier clients.

Interco understands the metal market and the trading department reacts according to pricing trends. Since the market does constantly fluctuate, it is important that the Interco commercial trading department has contracts with these smelters and refineries worldwide. This helps hedge against a quickly changing marketplace – always giving end clients fair prices for clean and quality metal. Additionally, Interco matches specific the metallurgical chemistries with the ideal end consumers. Thus, Interco can sell materials in straight loads for the best market price.

Interco Specializes in Recycling Scrap Auto Parts

scrap metal recycling

Interco specializes in the recycle of scrap auto parts – including complex materials. The expert Interco staff combined with the large facility size makes Interco a perfect choice as a partner for recycling automotive materials – including auto batteries. Interco is the largest EV battery recycler in North America, if not the world.

Interco has dismantling and separation lines, safety procedures, and certifications dedicated to process all types of automotive parts. In fact, Interco leads the way with innovative recycling solutions – as the company has for the past 25 years. The Interco recycling facility expands through new contracts, new equipment, and new recycling solutions. Interco also maintains the latest recycling certifications that provide up-to-date recycling knowledge and training. Lastly, Interco has four patents pending to improve the safety and efficiency of recycling processes. Therefore, the facility has the tools, experience, and resources needed to process scrap auto parts.

Recycling scrap auto parts includes the following steps:

  1. Removing the metallic parts from the decommissioned automotive or unused parts stockpile.
  2. Sorting ferrous metals from nonferrous metals – usually as easy as using a sorting line with a magnetic shaker table, conveyors, and trained recycling technicians.
  3. Using a handheld metal analyzer or spectrometer to determine the specific metal alloy of the nonferrous metals before they can be processed.
  4. Decontaminating and removing any other parts, attachments, or appendages that do not match the core alloy. This can be done through hand separation, mechanical separation, or by utilizing a shredder or pre-shredder.
  5. Aggregating like metal alloys and packaging them in bags or boxes or by baling the material – depending on the requirement of the end-consumer.

Choose Interco to Recycle Scrap Auto Parts

Interco recycles scrap auto parts while offering competitive pricing and quality service throughout the supply chain. Since 1996, Interco has used innovative recycling solutions to generate the highest recoverable scrap metals. Having the highest recoverable scrap maximizes the return on investment for supplier clients looking to sell their scrap auto parts. As a further convenience, Interco sells and delivers truckloads of smelter-ready materials globally — using the 30+ van trailers. The logistics team, the administrative office, and the operations departments assist with buying, delivering, and selling scrap materials. The dedicated fleet ships nonferrous scrap to established partnerships in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

recycle scrap auto parts

Interco Specializes in Construction and Demolition Recycling

Interco Specializes in Construction and Demolition Recycling

With 25 years of experience, Interco specializes in construction and demolition recycling. The 400,000 square foot facility has 7 buildings. Expert staff is dedicated to sorting various materials from construction and demo projects. The facility processes close to a quarter-billion pounds of materials every month that can originate from construction and demolition sites. For example, Interco recycles scrap cupronickel, also known as copper-nickel, which is a complex alloy located in power plants. Interco also recycles scrap admiralty brass, comprised of zinc, copper, and tin.

Increasing ROI from Construction and Demolition Recycling

Interco maximizes the return on investment of construction and demolition recycling scrap metals. The company can offer the best pricing on these materials by generating a consistently high volume through mixed and straight loads. Through various sorting processes, Interco offers clean packages to the secondary marketplace. Additionally, the expert Interco team obtains the highest recoverable scrap value through efficient proprietary practices.

Other recycling facilities may act as brokers or the “middleman”. In contrast, Interco takes delivery of the materials and processes them specifically for smelters, refineries, and ingot makers worldwide. The team handles each material differently depending on its condition, quantity, and origin to produce a finished product or package of maximum value to the end-consumer.

Consequently, it is extremely important that the Interco team know not only where the current market is to hedge against potential loss, but they must also know which consumer is paying the highest relative price. This price also depends on the quality of the materials and amount and cost of labor that is required to produce the package. Because Interco matches specific the metallurgical chemistries and form with the ideal end consumers, Interco sells materials in straight loads for the best market price. The more Interco makes, the more the Interco clients make.

Interco Specializes in Recycling Construction and Demolition Materials

The expert staff consisting of over 100 full time employees combined with the large facility size makes Interco a perfect choice as a partner for recycling construction and demolition materials. Interco can receive demo materials in end dumps, by railcar, by flatbed, or in traditional 53’ enclosed van trailers. The facility uses excavators to unload the dumps and railcars to sort on the 150,000 square foot clean concrete slab before micro sortation, repackaging, and baling indoors. Additionally, the recycling facility separates the complex materials that come from loads of construction and demolition site materials by hand if needed.

Sorting these materials helps to extract valuable scrap metals.

  • Copper wire, tube and pipe
  • Brass pipe and fittings
  • Stainless steel
  • Galvanized steel
  • Aluminum pipe and parts
  • Cupronickel pipe
  • Admiralty Brass tube

Interco Recycles Scrap Cupronickel from Demolished Power Plant Facilities

Interco recycles scrap cupronickel that often comes from demolished power plant facilities. Cupronickel is a blend of copper and nickel making it extremely resistant to corrosion from water, especially salt water. Power plants often use cupronickel due to its stable electrical resistance. Most recycling companies reject scrap cupronickel for a couple reasons: 1) they don’t generate enough of the material to provide consistent supply to the end-consumers and 2) they cannot commit to purchasing an uncommon alloy for fear that they might have to hold it through negative market turns.

Unlike many other companies, Interco recycles scrap cupronickel from demolished power plant facilities in straight or mixed truckloads. Interco takes a leading position in the marketplace and agrees to provide scrap cupronickel in specific alloys, grades, quantities, forms, and amounts to end consumers worldwide over a contracted period. Usually this amounts to a premium sale and a higher price paid by Interco to its suppliers.

Interco Scraps Admiralty Brass from Construction Materials

Interco processes scrap admiralty brass often found in heat exchangers and power plant condensers. Many of the older power plants with this material, also known as C44300, have either been set for demolition or torn down already. Since large amounts of admiralty brass are found when recycling construction and demolition materials, Interco has catered to the construction and demolition industry for some time. The Interco team also works with demolition companies to create efficient processes onsite to maximize the price paid for the materials.

For instance, the Interco team has helped many demo companies organize onsite sortation processes to separate nonferrous construction debris from the steel and other material. To separate the scrap admiralty brass from the rest of the demolition materials, Interco often recommends the following.

  1. Remove all metallic pieces from the pile
  2. Sort ferrous from nonferrous using hand sorting and mechanical separation techniques
  3. Visually determine the metal alloy through careful inspection or by using handheld metal analyzers or spectrometers
  4. Eliminate any contamination, parts, or attachments – including metallic powders and dust
  5. Sort like metal alloys into bins for onsite storage and easy transportation

In addition, Interco is able to offer insight into what processes should be handled at the demo site rather than back at the Interco processing facility. The Interco team has years of experience with construction and demolition recycling. Therefore, it is easy to share the knowledge to help its demolition contractor client partners.

Choose Interco to Buy, Sort, and Sell Construction and Demo Materials

After sorting, decontaminating, and analyzing the metal, staff sort the metals into bins for transport to the processing plant. Then, commercial traders sell the admiralty brass to domestic brass mills and ingot makers or export to smelters and refineries.  There, the Interco team will weigh, inspect, resort, and grade every piece of metal. Processed metals follow mill, refinery, smelter, or ingot maker specifications. The metals are packaged and sorted in to 5-, 10-, or 20-ton loads for shipment to the final destination.

The Interco commercial trading department sells the metals in truckload or export container quantities mills, smelters, ingot makers, and refineries. Interco works with suppliers of construction and demolition scrap materials throughout the world to provide the best solution.