Superior Waste Industries offers a variety of other solutions for residential and commercial clients.

Cardboard Recycling

Land Cleanup

Need help clearing land of junk and debris… yep we do that too. We offer a turn-key service. We bring our own equipment, team and haul everything off for you.

Recycling, Compacting & Other Waste Services in Houston

Can Stainless Steel Be Recycled?

If you have a scrap metal pile in your home or garage that includes stainless steel items, you might be wondering if you can recycle it. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and has a long lifespan.

According to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF), unlike other metals, stainless steel does not lose any of its properties during the recycling process. In fact, most new stainless steel is made from between 60% and 70% recycled material. Recycling one ton of stainless steel saves 1,000 kilograms of ore in addition to the energy needed to produce new stainless steel.

Recycled stainless steel is used primarily in construction and manufacturing. Its strength, durability, and ability to resist corrosion make it ideal for the automotive, plumbing, and building industries. It is often used to provide a more durable finish on exterior buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.

What Other Metals Can Be Recycled?

In 2013, Americans recycled over 65 million tons of metal. That’s more than the annual gross domestic product of Costa Rica and Iceland combined!

In addition to aluminum cans, you can recycle old metal hangers, pots and pans, broken appliances like blenders, and toasters, and even your car (if it’s made mostly of metal). Other metals that can be recycled include:

Copper: Premium-grade copper can hold up to 95% of the value of the original primary metal itself. 

Brass: If you have replaced your doorknobs recently you likely have brass available to recycle. 

Zinc: It’s said the average road vehicle features 10kg worth of zinc in galvanized body parts. End-of-life vehicles can be pulled apart and these parts can be recycled and transformed into like-for-like parts with exactly the same material quality. 

Tin: Recycling tin requires 99% less energy than creating it from scratch. A good source for scrap tin at home is old kitchen equipment such as soup ladles, woks, and cooking bowls. 

Lead: The use of secondary lead slashes CO2 emissions by 99%. Pre-1970’s houses are likely to have lead water pipes, roof flashings, and box gutters. Those working in the construction industry will also encounter lead products on an almost daily basis – usually replacing them with alternative materials. Don’t throw any lead into the skip, no matter how insignificant; it remains very valuable due to its recyclable qualities.

If you’re not sure whether something is recyclable, check with our Superior Waste experts. We may have special requirements for certain items, such as batteries or paint.

How Do You Recycle Appliances?

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends recycling appliances whenever possible. If you are planning to replace your old appliance, you can either donate or recycle it.

Appliances that can be recycled include refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, and water heaters. However, there are other appliances that cannot be recycled, such as dishwashers, microwaves, ranges and ovens, and washing machines and dryers.

To recycle your appliances, contact Superior Waste today! We offer curbside pickup for appliances. If you do not want to pay the fee for taking your appliance away from your home, you also have the option to drop them off at our facility.

What Electronics Can Be Recycled?

The main elements in electronics that are recyclable include: copper, gold, palladium, and silver. In addition to these, platinum and other rare earth metals are also found in some products.

The main reason so many precious metals can be found in electronic waste is that they have unique properties that make them valuable for a wide range of applications. For example, gold is highly malleable and resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for electronics use. Silver, for example, is one of the best electrical conductors. 

The next time you go to throw out your old mobile phone or computer tower, remember that there could be more value hidden under its casing than you think.

Superior Waste Industries offers residential and commercial recycling, land cleanup, metal, appliance and electronic recycling. If you aren’t sure the material you have is recyclable, call us today and we can discuss how we can help you!