Scrap Iron & Cast Iron Recycling

Iron is one of the most widely used metals in construction, manufacturing, machinery, vehicles and many everyday products. When iron products and equipment reach the end of their useful life, the metal can often be recovered and recycled.

Iron is a ferrous metal, meaning it contains iron and is generally magnetic. Scrap iron can arise in many different forms, from machinery and vehicle components to pipework, building materials and cast iron products.

Can Iron and Cast Iron Be Recycled?

Yes. Both iron and cast iron can be recovered from suitable products and materials and processed for reuse in metal production.

Scrap iron is collected, identified and separated from other materials before being prepared for further processing. Its form, condition and any other materials attached to it can affect how the scrap is handled.

Recovering iron already in circulation helps return usable metal to the manufacturing supply chain.

What Types of Scrap Iron Can Be Recycled?

Common sources of scrap iron include:

– cast iron baths and radiators
– machinery and equipment
– iron pipework
– engine and vehicle components
– construction materials
– metal fixtures and fittings
– manufacturing and engineering scrap
– gates, railings and other ironwork

Different types of iron scrap may need to be separated and prepared differently before further processing.

What Is the Difference Between Iron and Cast Iron?

Iron is used as the basis for many different metal products and alloys. Cast iron is produced using iron with a relatively high carbon content and is valued for properties including strength, durability and its ability to be cast into complex shapes.

Cast iron is commonly found in products such as radiators, baths, pipes, machinery components and engine parts.

Steel is another iron-based material but has different properties and an enormous range of applications. You can find out more in our Steel Recycling guide.

How Is Scrap Iron Recycled?

The recycling process depends on the type and condition of the scrap.

Iron is first identified and separated from other materials. Ferrous metals can often be separated using their magnetic properties before the material is sorted and prepared for further processing.

After processing, recovered iron can be returned to metal production and used as a secondary raw material.

For a broader explanation of the recycling process, see our How Does Metal Recycling Work? guide.

Why Recycle Scrap Iron?

Recycling keeps usable iron in circulation rather than allowing it to be discarded.

Recovering existing metal also reduces the requirement for newly extracted raw materials and allows valuable resources contained within old machinery, vehicles, buildings and other products to return to productive use.

Iron and steel make up a significant proportion of the metals recovered through recycling, making ferrous metal recycling an important part of the wider metal recycling industry.

Is Scrap Iron Valuable?

Scrap iron has a recyclable value, although the amount paid depends on factors including the type of material, quantity, condition and current market conditions.

Different grades of ferrous scrap can have different values, and scrap metal markets change over time. There is therefore no single permanent price for scrap iron or cast iron.

For current information, visit our Scrap Metal Prices page.

Recycling Scrap Iron & Cast Iron in Kent

Reclamet accepts suitable scrap iron and cast iron alongside a wide range of other ferrous and non-ferrous metals at our recycling centre in Birchington, Kent.

We work with individuals and businesses, with commercial scrap metal collection available for suitable larger or regular quantities.

For details of the metals we accept and our recycling services, visit our Scrap Metal Recycling page.