Recycling Brass Shells: What to Know

Whether it is old, corroding ammunition, or expired rounds at the range, ammunition is a material that needs to be disposed of carefully and properly. In fact, recycling brass shells come easily as the material is fully recyclable.

The process of recycling brass shells casings begins with the collection of the material. Whether a firing range, gun store, ammunition manufacturer, or government entity, the process to recycle and reuse brass shells, casings, and range lead can earn a business extra money on scrap metal.

Brass shells have popularity that derives from the shell casings durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of reloading. In fact, manufacturers that produce large amounts of scrap brass shells can use this metal to produce more ammunition.

The brass shell casing is recyclable and can be reused several times. When recycling brass shells, recycling centers like Interco ensure the reuse of 90% of the metal.

What’s in Ammunition?

When recycling brass shells, it is best to get to know the components that make up a piece of ammunition, also known as a cartridge. A cartridge contains the following:

• Bullet
• Casing
• Gun powder
• Primer

The primer is found on the bottom of the casing, the gunpowder is inside the casing, and the bullet is seen peeking out of the casing. The bullet is typically made of lead, while the casing is generally made from brass.

The process of recycling brass shells discovers metal shell housings with low degrees of aluminum and manganese bronze. Therefore, brass shells contain valuable metals that are precious to recycling centers.

The Recycling Brass Shells Process

Shell alloys usually contain brass, aluminum, or steel. Occasionally, brass shells have plates with chrome, nickel, silver, or even gold. After sorting the brass shells, the recycling process then proceeds with the following:

1. Removing the shell.
2. Shells “pop” in a high-temperature kiln.
3. A quality control supervisor verifies the shells are ready to proceed.
4. The shells enter a cleaning process to remove as much lead and dirt as possible.
5. Inspectors then run clean-and-popped shells through a shaker table.
6. Next, a hammer mill or shredder takes the shells and deforms them into smaller pieces. Aggregator machines take these pieces and load them for transportation.
7. Finally, the shells go to a brass mill. Brass shells are then melted, combined, and mixed with metallic elements to achieve a specific blend.

To complete the recycling process, brass shells fill the form of a rod or ingot. Consequently, Interco purchases scrap brass cartridges across the United States.

Where to Take Scrap Brass Shells

Several types of brass can be scrapped, but those that are clean have a higher value. In fact, numerous recyclers and manufacturers guess that ammunition cannot be recycled, however, that is false. Consequently, despite being fully recyclable, the issue is finding a facility with the resources and equipment to adequately recycle brass shells.

A local gun range or recycling center offers scrappers a safe and lucrative way to dispose of brass shells. Additionally, there are a few suggestions of what not to do including: don’t bury ammunition as a way of disposal and don’t throw away ammunition in the trash.

Local Gun Range

Many local gun ranges accept corroded rounds or brass shells. A few ranges will collect dud rounds – cartridges that do not fire when the trigger is pulled – and dispose of them properly.

Recycling Center

There are multiple hazardous waste collection sites or recycling centers that may accept brass shells.

Interco recycles spent brass shells and cartridges, indoor/outdoor range lead, demilled military ordnance, tactical munitions, and artillery shells.

Established in 1996, Interco has grown to prominence as one of the most reputable recyclers of nonferrous scrap in the United States. The company is experiencing significant market position growth due to several factors that suggest steady acceleration for years to come. In addition, Interco buys components, whole units, peripherals, batteries and boards, and precious metal anywhere in North America for recycling.

Take Your Scrap Brass Shells to Interco for Recycling

Interco purchases scrap brass cartridges across the United States. Scrap brass shells are the most popular type of recycled ammunition. Consequently, most consumers are unaware that they can recycle brass shell casings. Interco provides recycling brass shells services to numerous associations – including the military, gun stores, and ammunition manufacturers – that face the issue of how to manage undesirable or lapsed ammunition. For more information about recycling brass shells, click here.