What to take and what not to take

Hello All:

I called my scrap yard today to ask about separating the magnets out of microwave to getter better prices and make more money. The guys response was, "...we do accept any microwaves becasue they are trace radioactive...but when you scarp metal separated similar metals into separate groups will make you more money."

Now, I just got started scrapping about a month ago and have only taken one load to the scrap yard. On that trailer were about 6 microwaves I scarpped along with one refrigerator, some bike frames and etceteraras. The internal components of the microwaves (the copper, aluminum and insulated wire) werr scrapped separately to add more value to the experience.

Is there any particular reason they say they don't accept microwaves over the phone, but take them when I go. I'm not certain if there are some EPA regulations concerning microwaves, but I know you cannot throw them away in the trash in my city. Just asking...sorry if this is a silly question.

TrailerScrap

While it is running, it is producing microwaves which is a form of radiation.
It is not radioactive by itself and does not have anything inside it that is.
i set my film badge an meters on them all the time at the house

lol yea thats why i just answerd the microwave question

There is lots of misinformation concerning the microwave ovens. As Shootlow said when it is operating it makes microwaves which is a form of radiation as is the the radiation that emits from your cell phone antenna. As does your cb radio and any other electronic device when powered up. The guy at the scrap yard has radiation confused with radioactive.

I think Kris Kringle was referring to the salvage yard worker not the person who posted the question.

You will most likely not going to educate the salvage yard worker on the theory of radiation so break the oven down into unrecognizable parts or sell somewhere else.

Much has been written on the forum about this subject go forth and read, Mike.

Thanks for the resopnses...actually, I'm not worried about whether they will take it or not, because they do, I just thought he might be saying they don't because of some Federal regulation on microwaves recycling or something.

I don't know about breaking them down to an unrecognizable form, my trailer is only 10 ft long and I used them to put metal in to save space, haha...but if they ever deny me I will do just that.

Let the TrailerScrapping begin!!!

http://www.epa.gov/radtown/microwave.html

...this is the EPA's site on Microwave oven...basically it says as long as the microwave is not running, there is ZERO threat of any kind. Well, unless you're allergic to steel or something, haha.

alleric to steel? could there be such a thing?

There are posts here about disassembling microwaves, like others stated.
I used to toss them in with steel (I just leave the glass tray inside for extra weight).
Thought it would be too much hassle to get the little transformer(s) out, and tiny motor.
One day the sun hit the vent holes on the bottom of one ..I saw the shiny copper and ...

Anyway, I've learned to remove a few of the screws on the bottom and sides enough to bend the case open, and beat the transformer(?) with hammer...Now I get around atleast $2 quickly for each microwave I figure.
Watch out for capacitors. Srry this is vague, Haven't scrapped for two weeks and no microwaves lately.
It's easy though (lost a lot of $$$ tossing them whole before).
Good luck!

There is no radiation in a microwave at all. Next time you have one roll across the scale and find out for yourself. If they have radiation detection equipment then it would set them off and you would be quarantined by the yard or kicked out. Most radioactive scrap comes from refinery's or medical equipment. Hence the reason why every yard won't buy medical equipment from peddlers.

Hes talking about Beryllium oxide.

Its a pretty toxic ceramic thats on the end of the magnatron, its the little pink part on the end of the 80gram copper bobbin part.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_oxide

Thats why they want it in parts, so they don't have to pull the microwave apart & seperate everything out & dispose of the Beryllium oxide part.

Also, some microwaves now have Ali coils on the big transformer, not copper coils like they used to have.
If they gave a 'copper containing' price for the microwave, and it turned out to be Ali wires, then they just lost money..... Theres a difference of US$5 there.....

On the other hand, get a whole bunch of microwaves, pull them all part & don't break the ceramic part & sell off everything as its 'own metal', ie, heavy iron, lightgauge, Ali, copper, stainless & brass & thats how you make $$$$.

Save up the magnatrons ( I have 50+) & get someone with a lathe to machine the end caps of the magnatrons. 50 = 4Kg, or a little under 8 Lbs Copper.

Thanks for all the additional responses. I do totally dismantle all microwaves. I also know that the little pink part is Beryllium Oxide, BeO, and that as far as the EPA is concerned it is not considered hazardous waste unless it is transformed into a powdered form. Even so, I do not touch any scrap with my bare hand (makes it kind of difficult sometimes). I actually wear plastic gloves under leather work gloves. Overkill you say...yes it is, but I think it best for preparation overkill than TrailerScrap kill. Boy do I love this site!!!

Yards are funny. Mine will not take bikes with tires on them and will not take dishwashers with the plastic tubs! But they will take fridges...

I've only had 1 microwave to break down. Didn't see the BeO - but it may still be in the shed as I took the copper coil out and put it on a shelf. I know the scrap yard I took it too said "No Microwaves" but when I tossed the steel frame in front of the worker he didn't even blink.

The local county charges you $10 for TV and $5 for microwaves to recycle them.

I've read and seen on many occasions where the beryllium oxide is pink, is that always the case? Because, I opened one the other day and it was white. The colour and the feel of it resembled those ceramic pieces that hold the coils in heaters.

...all I have ever seen are pink ones, the probably come in other colors, but I have only scrapped about 30 microwaves in my limited career. We shall see in the future.

TrailerScrap

Theres a yard around here that won't take them, their cassified as "white goods". But like everyone else said, thats whole. Now, what does everyone do with the BO?

Quote:

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Now, what does everyone do with the BO?

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I've found that a shower a day, and sometimes two if it's hot outside, along with a good antiperspirant takes care of my BO problems. :)

how did i not see that coming...