Must‑Have Gold Prospecting Tools for Beginners: Trowel, Classifying Screens, Pinpointer, and Magnetic Separator

 Updated on August 24, 2023

John has prospected for gold in Arizona 10 years. His experience taught him to deal with the terrain, heat, and gold fever. He makes tools.

Gold Prospecting Tools

As is the case with anything, you can really go basic when you start out gold prospecting by using the minimum number of tools. For that matter, all you really need is a pan! However, there are four tools that will help the prospector save time—and time savings ensues more work and a superior gold yield. Here are a few tool suggestions.

This is my personal magnetic separator.

1. Magnetic Separators

As the panning process unfolds, there is usually a point where nothing is left but black sand. The black sand is likely magnetite—a magnetic mineral that occurs in almost all igneous and metamorphic rocks. The black sand found could be magnetic if dry. Wet black sand forms a muck that will result in pulling up gold, too, when a magnet is applied. Dry black sand can be used with a magnet for separating magnetite from the gold, the gold being left behind.

 My Magnetic Separator

I like to use a 16-pound magnet separator with a quick release. The surface diameter is 3 1/2". With the pull, you can release the black sand.

The process involves getting the magnet close to the panned black sand but not submerging it directly—that gets muck on the separator surface, which can hold gold. You get close and then drop it in another pan of water, looking for any gold. You repeat the process until you can see no gold, and then you release the magnetite in a disposal plate. This description is insufficient for a complete understanding. See the following video for a great tutorial on separating gold from black sand.

Here's one final thought. I have heard it said from club members that you can separate gold from black sand using a tarp and letting it dry out in the Arizona sun. Apparently, you hover over it with the magnet, not touching it, and the magnetite will be lifted, leaving the gold behind. I can imagine this happening if you have good-sized flakes, but it seems as though fine gold would still go up and get trapped in the magnetite on the surface of the magnet. I have never tried this—it's all hearsay to me, but it might be fun for an experiment.

 

Do not wait; the time will never be "just right." Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along.— George Herbert

 

My old but trusty Garret Pro-Pointer | Source

2. Gold Pinpointers

A great accessory for the metal detector enthusiast is the pinpointer. It is a secondary recovery tool. First, you use your metal detector to locate a target. Once the target is located, you turn to the pinpointer. Running the pinpointer in the revealed location will quickly isolate the target for recovery.

Why use this? It saves time and energy. Anyone who has waved a metal detector can attest to the fatigue it can cause over a longer period of time. It can also wear out a tired shoulder. Trying to get your ring situated perfectly over the target for retrieval can take time. When the pin-pointer goes off, your treasure is right there! I like it because I can take a break from my long metal detector when I get on my hands and knees to wand the ground. It is great in loose dirt and sand. The tip is reinforced, so you really don't need to worry about breaking it.

My Propointer is the first Garret Propointer. The Garret Propointer II is even better. It comes with a belt carrying case. I have owned mine for many years, and it has never failed me. It's running like it's brand new.

These classifiers range from 60 mesh down to 10 mesh and have black buckets for retrieval. These are my personal classifiers. My set has more solid tubs, but I bought them at a gold show in Mesa, Arizona. | Source

3. Gold Classifier

You can call a gold classifier a gold sieve or screen, but regardless of the name, they go with a pan. You can classify directly into your pan or save the panned material for later—I often bring material home and pan it in my backyard, where I have a covered porch.

The classifier helps to separate stones and debris that you don't really want to pan when looking for placer.

One half-inch mesh is about 4 holes per square inch. A 1/4-inch mesh has about 16 holes per square inch—1/8 inch contains about 64 holes per square inch, and so on. 1/100 inch is the smallest mesh that is commonly used for microscopic gold recovery and ultra fine gold dust and flakes.

I don't know who made my classifiers, although I have made several screens on my own that straddle a 5-gallon plastic bucket, as illustrated in previous articles.

I could describe how to use the classifier, but the video below is so much more superb that I refer you to it.

By the way. I have heard newbies to recreational gold prospecting refer to classification as clarifying. Whether it is a legitimate verbal for classifying, I know not. But I thought I would add this to your prospecting wealth of knowledge. However, it takes nothing away from butter!

My personal trowel; I never leave home without it. 

TRUSTY TROWEL

Every good prospector needs a hearty trowel. In Arizona arroyos, you can sweep away two inches of sand and hit cobbles. My preference is for trowels with Dalyn Enterprises' bulb trowels. Why? Because they are made of sturdy steel—as in thick! In my area of middle Arizona down to Tucson, you can throw a trowel into the ground and wind up shaking your arm like they do in the cartoons. So, you must have struck caliche or cobbles.

Sooooo ... it is really nice to have something that can also double for a pry bar. Don't even think about those plastic trowels you can get at the dollar store. The first thing you hit will shatter it.

In this article, we covered some of my favorite tools for prospecting. They include, but are not limited to, the magnetic separator, the pin-pointer, classifiers, and last but not least, the trusty trowel. There are more—I keep all of these in my backpack, locked in my truck, and ready for my next adventure. I strongly advise you to do likewise.And by the way. I firmly suggest you not keep gold at your home. I don't. Safety deposit boxes are relatively cheap, considering the alternative. May all your pans be full!

© 2021 John R Wilsdon

Urban Mining: What Is It?

 Updated on December 19, 2024

John has recycled metals most of his life and is fascinated by waste that has value. Recycling made him aware of its necessity—and worth.

Recycling and Better Asphalt Replacement

This is an example of deteriorating asphalt. In the 70's as the crude oil shortages spread across America, think tanks began to consider recycling oil-containing asphalt. | Source

Swedes Are Conservative

Have you ever been driving down a highway and approached an open area on the side of the road where there is a large mound of broken concrete? Snaggled rebar reaches to the sky and you may even see wire mesh emanating at other angles. When I see that I say to myself, "What a waste!" Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to reuse all of that material?

Well, in the case of concrete and rebar, it is all being reused in Switzerland. The Swiss are committed to using the metals and the concrete from all torn down buildings. In fact, they have been able to crush the concrete and reuse it to make roadway bedding. Some crushed concrete can be used as aggregate for new concrete. The rebar is all collected by cranes with large electromagnets. They have been so successful that they can replenish their new construction needs for bedding and rebar by doing this.

Encouraging Urban Mining

I'm really interested in how you create a whole new economy of recycling. It's literally the 'underground economy.' All this stuff that on the surface creates growth and profit, ends up with waste, junk, and CO2. So how do you make it economic to bring new players into the ball game?

Peter Senge

An Old Road May Become New Roadbed

Lime from limestone is mixed with aggregate and silica (sand) and water forming concrete. You may have noticed that the concrete you've poured yourself requires spraying with water for a period of time to slow down the curing time, which results in better strength and fewer cracks. This process is known as hydration. Once concrete is used, the cement cannot be extracted because of the chemical change that it undergoes. Cement is a material that must be mined for all new uses.

But concrete that has been broken and discarded from roads and bridges can be crushed to specific sizes (depending on the structural requirements) and used for underlayment of roadways. In addition, crushers have been developed that effectively crunch up the concrete and allow the steel rebar to fall away. That rebar can then be sent to a steel mill to be melted down and turned into new rebar.

Why Do It? For the Economy and Environment

Anytime you can avoid using new materials, you are conserving energy, and many times saving money. Mining requires a great deal of fuel resulting in CO2 pollution. The faster mining proceeds, the faster the land can be scarred. Some people believe that slowing that process down gives us time to discover alternatives to carbon fuels. And as we know, fuel is expensive. Many times crushed concrete can be used on site or closer to a project rather than having to transport the virgin material to a building area.

Mixing the New With the Old

If crushed concrete is being used as an aggregate in new concrete, some newly-mined aggregate is added to the mix.

In my own community, old concrete has been cobbled together to stabilize the banks of arroyos. I have even seen the concrete fashioned like a mosaic and mortared in place.

Large sections of broken concrete can make very good reinforcement of embankments. | Source

Asphalt Is Not A Dirty Word

With nearly 4.1 million miles of paved roads and roadways, and 94% surfaced with asphalt, this material, if recycled, has a significant impact on our economy. RAP, or reclaimed asphalt pavement, can be a cost-saving influence for contractors. Lab studies discovered that typical RAP contains about 4-6% of asphalt content. That eliminates the percentage of virgin asphalt required. A second cost-savings is from using less asphalt cement. RAP can also be crushed and ground and added to asphalt. RAP then becomes a binder. This reduces the amount of asphalt cement mix binder required. State guidelines generally dictate percentage of RAP used in pavement. Here are some estimates based on state surveys.

1. 10-50 percent mixes are accepted in most states depending on the type of pavement being laid.
2. Technologies have been and are being developed to use 90% to 100% RAP.
3. A 20 percent or less mix of RAP in hot mix does not change the grade of the asphalt.
4. WMA (Warm Mix Asphalt) can contain up to 30% RAP.
5. 20% - 25% RAP is added to Cold Asphalt Recycling,
6. It has been discovered that 25% to 35% RAP in hot mix asphalt can result in comparable stiffness to virgin asphalt. The difference in stiffness his correlated to how fine the material additives are in the mix.

According to the latest survey data, during the 2016 construction season more than 76.9 million tons of RAP and nearly 1.4 million tons of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) were put to use in new pavements in the United States, saving taxpayers more than $2.1 billion. - from Pavement Recyclers

Interesting Facts

• The binder in asphalt for paving is 70% of the cost of the mix. RAP can be used as a binder.
• Of 1800 tons of landfill recycled asphalt, 1700 tons is crushed rock.
• Of the 1800 tons of landfill recycled asphalt, 29,120 gallons of oil wasn't refined or delivered.
• Of the 1800 tons of landfill recycled asphalt, 70 tons of greenhouse gas was not expelled into the atmosphere.
• New asphalt contains 10 -30% RAP.
• In 2016, more than 76.9 million tons of RAP and nearly 1.4 million tons of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) were put to use in new pavements in the United States, saving taxpayers more than $2.1 billion.
• At the job site, hot mix asphalt is between 300 and 350 degrees F. Rolling temps are between 220 and 290 degrees F.
• Warm mix asphalt is between 200 and 250 degrees F.
• Cold mix is appropriate if it doesn't drop below 150 degrees F. It is the most economical asphalt to use, mainly for cracks and potholes.
• In California, where used tires are shredded and added to asphalt, a mix called rubberized asphalt is used for resurfacing roads. It is claimed to be more durable.
• In 2017, there was a 36% increase in the use of RAP over 2009.
• Blast furnace slag, steel slag, and cellulose fibers are also mixed with asphalt for binders.

Demand That Recycled Materials Be Used

Did you know that asphalt pavement is America's most recycled material? Each year roughly 100 million tons of asphalt pavement material is reclaimed. Of that 100 million tons, about 95-percent of that is reused in roads and highways, saving taxpayers money by reducing the cost of roads. - Jacob Mrugacz

Constructive Advice

You may have seen vehicles that mix RAP with asphalt and then lay it down behind them on the roadway. The mix is dropped on the roadway and compacted in one drive-through pass. The asphalt is in the form of asphalt emulsion (or foamed asphalt) and it's referred to as cold mix asphalt.

Hot mix asphalt uses RAP as an aggregate, not unlike rock content in cement. Here the chunks are mixed with hot asphalt and used as a binder lowering the cost of material.

What Might Be the Savings Using Recycled Asphalt Pavement?

The use of reclaimed asphalt saves taxpayers money ! “Estimates show that recycling of asphalt pavements saves the American taxpayer more than $2.5 billion per year. It also saves thousands of acre-feet of landfill space each year.”

What Does Virgin Asphalt Require?

To replace the Recycled Asphalt Pavement above would require a lot of pristine material including:

1. 1870 pounds of quarried rock per ton
2. 16 gallons of oil per ton
3. 75 pounds of greenhouse gas per ton for plant power

What About the Future?

AsphaltRecycling.com estimates the savings range from $30 to $80 a ton by taking advantage of reclaimed asphalt.

Technologies will be developed to increase warm mix asphalt (WMA). By being able to reduce the temperatures of the mix, energy can be saved when applying the asphalt to the road. Most importantly, it lengthens the paving season and allows for greater compaction.

Smart robots are in the conceptual stage and are anticipated to separate materials in old buildings without pulverization. They will eliminate the dust created from current demolition models and will separate materials into piles and perform inventory functions. These robots will work from the top of a building down to the bottom.

Recycling in the future stands on three prongs. We will more and more reduce, recycle, and reuse. With growing world population, the concept of limited resources has come quickly to the forefront. Turning something whose value has waned into something new might involve no new consumption, or very little. It is a powerful tool in helping the planet. Recycling materials saves amazing amounts of time, energy, and money. It has been estimated that recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours.

This savings will increase as we continue to try to change the way we think.

• Golden Legends Tales of Buried Treasure
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Sources

cxtec. (2019). What Is Urban Mining: An Introduction. Retrieved from https://www.cxtec.com/resources/blog/what-is-urban-mining-introduction/

Wikipedia. (13 October 2019), Recycling. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling

greenspec. (2019). Concrete: Cement Substitutes. Retrieved from http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/concrete-cement-substitutes/

KENCO. (n.d.). Concrete Pulverizer. Retrieved from https://kenco.com/products/concrete-pulverizer/

Vinod Kumar Singh. (November 22, 2016). Can cement be recycled or not?https://www.quora.com/Can-cement-be-recycled-or-not. Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Can-cement-be-recycled-or-not

Pavement Recyclers. (n.d.). What Is Recycled Pavement & How Does It Help the Environment? Retrieved from https://pavementrecyclers.com/what-is-recycled-asphalt/

Pavement Recyclers. (n.d.) What Is Asphalt Recycling? Retrieved from https://pavementrecyclers.com/what-is-asphalt-recycling/

Jacob Mrugacz. (April 17, 2019). Recycled Asphalt: Learn The Benefits And Process Of Recycling Asphalt. Retrieved from https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog/recycled-asphalt-learn-the-benefits-and-process-of-recycling-pavement

National Asphalt Pavement Association. (2009 - 2010). Asphalt Pavement Mix Production Survey. Retrieved from http://www.asphaltpavement.org/images/stories/is-138_rap_ras_wma_survey_2009_2010.pdf

U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. (August 3, 2016). User Guidelines for Waste and Byproduct Materials in Pavement Construction. Retrieved from https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/structures/97148/rap132.cfm

Equipment World's Better Roads. (July 19, 2018). Survey: 39% of asphalt pavement produced energy-saving warm mix - nearly 79M tons of recycled materials used. Retrieved from https://www.equipmentworld.com/survey-39-of-asphalt-pavement-produced-with-energy-saving-warm-mix-nearly-79m-tons-of-recycled-materials-used/

U.S. National Library of Medicine Institutes of Health. (January 9, 2015). Utilization of Recycled Asphalt Concrete with Warm Mix Asphalt and Cost Benefit Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289063/

Research, Development, and Technology Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. (April 2011). Retrieved from https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/11021/11021.pdf

Alluvial Plains Explained: How Gold Forms, Moves, and Concentrates in River Systems

 Updated on December 15, 2024                                                           *

I've been gold prospecting for 13 years, mainly in the Bradshaw Mountains in Yavapai County, Arizona, where I found over 8 grams of placer.

Piedmont or alluvial deposit, eluvial, or alluvium 

Practice Affects Probability

"The consequences of an act affect the probability of its occurring again." —B. F. Skinner

It is one thing to know high probability areas for finding placer gold near a stream. It is quite another thing to locate property that is a good contender for holding gold. Finding a property that might contain gold is the subject of this article. And, just as there are places to look on a claim where the nature of placer gold is likely to dictate where it "falls out" or settles, there are some fundamental rules for selecting an unclaimed area.

Finding gold this way is much harder than searching on a claim (where gold has already been found), but the rewards can be huge.

One of the first things to look at is geology. Since most areas containing placer gold are downstream from a lode (a hard rock source), you probably will want to look somewhere not far from mountains. If there is a range where some gold has previously been found, that is even better. As rain and melted snow run over rock formations, bits of gold break loose, and these flakes wash downstream. Since gold is very heavy (19 times heavier than water), the force of the water determines where the gold settles.

As the force decreases, flakes start to fall out. The larger flakes fall out first. The lighter flakes continue to be carried downstream until the water slows sufficiently for the gold to settle to the bottom of the waterway. So, one of the first things to look for is a piedmont.

A piedmont is a foothill region. In gold prospecting, the term designates an area leading away from a mountain to its base. It is created by material washing out of the mountains. This material deposits itself in a distinct pattern. Heavier material is at the top. Then follow heavier pebbles (where gold nuggets can be found), then smaller pebbles and gold flakes. The original word from its classical roots means "at the foot of the mountain". Another term for this type of region is an alluvial deposit. You more than likely have seen them in the past.

An alluvial plain in the foreground. Note the alluvium in the mountains at the top of the photo.

If there is a lode (hard mine deposit) above, there will be placer below. In reality, most areas downstream from a discovered load have been claimed. But if you discover placer gold in an area containing a virgin gold lode, you will find placer flakes. Remember, gold outcroppings occur in multiple fingers. Where there is one, there may be many close by.

The next thing you might want to do is to hike up the mountainside and see if you cannot find the lode. Of course, there could be an outcropping of quartz with gold, or you may have mineral deposits that contain gold. Either way, exploring could be worth your while. While highly improbable, experts know that all of the gold on earth has not been discovered. Placer flake is the focus of this article.

Next, you might want to look for benches. Benches are hard rock cuttings formed by water running swiftly over a combination of hard and soft rock. It might take thousands of years to cut through hard rock, but if the swift water finds a layer of soft rock, the water will cut through it relatively quicker than the hard. Suppose you have a granite-hardness-type rock that suddenly becomes limestone. The limestone portion will be cut faster. As the water level drops down the cutting side, the hard rock (granite) is left behind. This gives a rock formation on a canyon wall that resembles a bench; yes, something you could sit on.

These "gold benches" can have cracks and residue on the seat and back of the bench. By vacuuming and prying open cracks, gold that has previously gotten stuck can be sucked out. Material on the seat of the bench can be collected and panned. Many a prospector has discovered gold in this manner. I frequently use a whisk broom.

Benches

Gold can be found as very small particles in rock. Also, in particular, a by-product of copper mining, gold is recovered from the extraction process along with other valuable metals. It is often said that the gold, silver, and platinum content, a result of the copper ore processing, provides mining companies with enough money for their whole operation—copper is frequently referred to as pure profit. Gold is often mixed in sulfide minerals. In addition, Fool’s Gold (pyrite) can contain gold. Quartz can often be mingled with veins or nugget size pieces of gold.

One of the most famous and oft sought signs of the possibility of gold is the sight of white quartz. This purer/richer form, perhaps more exciting, is found in veins. At the surface of these veins, the deposits tend to be richer. So, investigate the white quartz with a close eye; it is important.

Another thing to look out for is ancient waterways. As you may well know, water can travel along a course for many years, and then for some reason, it will divert. Perhaps large boulders fall into a stream or river bed and direct the water to the side. A new water passage is created. If this area is descending, the water may move down for even more distance until it begins to take its new course. Looking for old waterways (now dry) is based on geology. If you look at the top of a waterway and see to the sides layers of rock and pebbles, that means that the current waterway diverted from that. That area to the side is a good spot to prospect for placer and nuggets.

And now, a word about gold ore. Brown is often the color of gold. It can be iron-stained rock or huge white quartz deposits. Gold ore usually contains only small traces of gold. You extract the gold by crushing the ore to practically powder size, and then the gold is separated by panning or some large mechanized version of panning that allows for the processing of more material (shaking tables, etc.).

Sluice box for gold mining 

Gold Ores

Here is a list of 13 minerals that gold is associated with in nature:

1. Calaverite
2. Krennerite
3. Nagyagite
4. Petzite
5. Sylvanite
6. Bysmuthide maldonite
7. Antimonide aurostibite
8. Copper
9. Lead
10. Mercury
11. Auricupride
12. Novodneprite
13. Weishanite

• Golden Legends Tales of Buried Treasure
  This place features lots of stories about gold, silver, treasure, and in some cases, equipment for gold prospecting. Check it out.

The Gold Hasn't Been Exhausted

While discovering a virgin lode gets harder and harder (if not nearly impossible), quartz-bearing gold can still be found at old lode sites. You must be a fortunate prospector, but it happens. Remember, commercial operations end when it is no longer profitable. That does not mean when the gold is exhausted. Investigate areas near the site of former gold quartz ledges. Finding new areas of placer gold that have not been claimed is, in my opinion, "easier". Fine gold flakes can be found for many miles on waterways and their tributaries. Looking at satellite photos of the earth’s surface in the proximity of already-discovered gold country is very useful also for detecting prime gold-bearing candidates.

When I leave my local area in Eastern Arizona, I use Arizona Gold and Gem Maps to give me an idea of where to peruse in Arizona for that shiny yellow stuff. Interestingly as well, you get sites of gem locations—that can be a lot of fun. I just looked at fire opal in Safford, AZ, thanks to the guide.

Fire Opal

Recycled Steel and Ferrous Scrap: Pollution and Economic Cost Benefits

                            

                                      An incredible amount of steel comes from auto salvage yards.
                                                                                   

Updated on September 16, 2023

John has recycled metals most of his life and is fascinated by waste that has value. Recycling made him aware of its necessity—and worth.

Penny Wise and Pound Foolish?

As of December of 2018, evidence has been gathered showing that Chinese hot-dip galvanization of steel coils causes an increase of as much as 50% more greenhouse gas. This steel material is used in construction. Consider that galvanizing can occur with recycled or virgin steel.

This takes into account GHG for a large building's steel galvanizing only. When consideration is given to the total amount of pollution created from Chinese steel production, the numbers rise even more.

Contrasted to North American cold rolled steel, Chinese steel in the example above (a Minnesota office building) created the equivalent of 10,000 gallons of burnt gasoline. In general, Chinese steel pollutes on average three times the pollution of North American steel. But of course, Chinese steel is cheaper. When the total price of the purchase is taken into account, is it cheaper?

Iron and Steel Recycling Facts

• The United States discards enough iron and steel yearly to continuously supply all the automakers in the entire nation.
• Recycling steel saves 74% of the energy used to process virgin iron ore.
• Steel is the only material used in construction today that can be 100% recycled and re-used. It is truly sustainable.
• Even scrap waste from the smelting of steel is fed back into the system.
• Because steel is magnetic, it is one of the most easily separated recyclables.
• Virtually all manufactured steel items contain some recycled steel.
• In the 60's the United States started using recycled steel in rebar. Domestically produced rebar contains 97% recycled material. Sources vary from old cars, appliances, hot water heaters, and just about any manufactured steel object.
• Recycling one ton of steel conserves 2,500 lbs. of iron ore, 1,400 lbs. of coal, and 120 lbs. of limestone.
• On average, the United States processes enough ferrous scrap daily (read stuff composed of iron), by weight, to build 25 Eiffel Towers every day of the year.
• St. Louis's Gateway Arch used 900 tons of stainless steel in construction.
• The annual amount of U.S. recycled ferrous scrap weighs enough to build 900 Golden Gate Bridges.

Reused Versus Recycled Steel

It is possible to melt recycled steel and create totally new forms. The classic example is a toaster being sold to a metal scrapper and it in turn becomes a ceiling fan. There is plenty of unwanted steel for that. But reusing steel is a form of recycling also. A very common use for fashioning new creations without the melt is in the furniture business.

One furniture business uses bikes in their contemporary designs. Bike furniture uses handlebars, frames, and rims for their creation of chairs, bar stools and love seats. Other businesses focus on steel contraptions for cutting and splicing to create new designs for those with a penchant for a specific machine. A for instance would be airplane parts for home decor.

Another example is furniture made from pipe and fittings. This type of furniture has taken off in recent years because of the extreme variety of shapes and sizes that can be formed. Look on Amazon for pipe furniture designed by Yuanshikj for many different uses. They have created shelf units, free-standing and mountable, most of which can be made from recycled steel.

Even though wood and plastic are re-purposed, they are more difficult to use in a completely different form when ground or melted. This is one reason that recycled steel is a wonderful source of material for re-purposing and completely new item in form. As the world becomes more green aware, there is little doubt that steel will be used for more and more things, especially replacing some plastic uses.

Recycled Steel in Structures

The prefabrication of steel projects focuses construction costs away from the site. This eliminates site disturbance (dust, etc.) at the project site. Though aluminum is often used because of its reflectivity, steel also has a high reflectance index value and can cool the area underneath significantly.

Recycled steel is perfect for producing roofing materials. Parking spaces can be significantly cooled with steel roofing. Steel framing that is correctly installed can make a building very tight, contributing to less air loss and less energy consumption over the building's lifetime. Steel will not warp, responding to cold and heat much less. Recycled steel studs are also stronger than wood.

Recycled steel roofing | Source

Why Recycled Steel Is Not Sufficient for Domestic Security

In June of 2018, President Trump announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. He cited the need for a strong domestic metals industry to ensure national security. We probably all know that materials for defense like tanks, airplanes, ships, ammunition, missiles, and more require a lot of steel.

But if the United States has so much steel to recycle, why the need for a strong domestic iron mining and steel-producing industry? The argument for protective tariffs goes something like this.

If the United States were engaged in a large, protracted war, not only would the furnaces for melting recycled steel all be operating, but the daily requirements for steel production would require the simultaneous mining and smelting of virgin iron ore to make the steel required for an adequate defense. In addition, the knowledge that the United States could produce its own iron for steel production would be reason to think twice about attacking.

Given the 9/11 attacks on the United States (the Pentagon), many military installation buildings need hardening. In the event of a national emergency, immediate steel deliveries will be required from the domestic steel industry. If dependent on foreign steel, these requirements cannot be guaranteed.

A currently proposed Nucor steel mill for making steel plates would take three years to build. We need healthy mills in operating conditions to guarantee our national defense. All furnaces at large and small steel mills and smelters need to be ready.

Superior Strength Steel From Recycle

Many of the steel types used in the United States were developed over the last 20 years. There is a growing demand for thinner and stronger steel which contributes to the success of lighter applications in the modern world. These versions of steel have been developed thanks to the latest technologies.

The quest for lighter stronger materials is a universal goal for the U.S. economy. It advances the objective of lower fuel expenditure. Since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 37% because of improvements in the composition of steel.

The economy of the United States gobbles up 120 million tons of finished steel every year. Recycled steel of all types and in all applications is a huge contributor to the productive capacity of our country.

Material that was once a blender standing idly in your kitchen may well be part of a space capsule hurtling through space.

The Future

Recycling steel makes sense in terms of the economy, reduced pollution, energy savings and national defense. It makes good sense to take advantage of our bounty of used steel.

SourcesSteel Recycling Institute (2018, Feb 8). Light-Weighting with Advanced High Strength Steel Produces Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Lightweighting with Aluminum. Retrieved February 26, 2019 from https://www.steelsustainability.org/Green Solutions Recycling (2015, No month). Recycling Facts. Retrieved February 27, from http://www.greensolutionsrecyclingllc.com/recycling-facts/Whirlwind Steel Buildings and Components Whirlwind Team (2016, February 10). Sustainability: Benefits of Building with Steel, Retrieved February 20, 2019 from (https://www.whirlwindsteel.com/blog/bid/407753/sustainability-benefits-of-building-with-steelFrane, David (2014, September 20). 12 Things You Probably Don't Know about Rebar, Retrieved February 20, 2019 from https://www.toolsofthetrade.net/power-tools/12-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-rebar_oDekalb Iron and Metal (2019, No Month). About Metal Recycling, Retrieved February 20, 2019 from https://www.dimcodekalb.com/page/19/about-metal-recylcingYoders, Jeff (2019, January 14). Newcor to Build $1.3B Steel Mill in Midwest, State Not Yet Picked, Retrieved February 21 from https://www.enr.com/articles/46206-nucor-will-build-new-steel-plate-mill-in-the-midwest-doesnt-know-which-state-yetIijima, Satoru (2017, May 10). Shaping the Future of the U.S. Steel Industry, Retrieved February 28, 2019 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/mitsubishiheavyindustries/2017/05/10/shaping-the-future-of-the-u-s-steel-industry/#4971f9986ced

© 2019 John R Wilsdon

 Updated on May 10, 2025

John is a baby boomer whose father endured the Great Depression. He was taught to be frugal and self-sufficient. It's his way of life.

This article provides several tips for making money through recycling. | Source

Earning Cash With Recycling Is Easy!

For many years, I have been interested in the environment, saving money, and tinkering. There are times when all three proclivities seem to converge or overlap. For me, this has always taken the form of recycling.

In this article, I will share some tips for saving money and earning extra cash by recycling plastic bottles. The article is directed at those who are highly motivated to earn some money on the side, whether between paychecks or in more substantial predicaments. Specifically, we will examine why you should recycle, how much money you can earn, and the best methods for collecting (and crushing) plastic items.

Plastic bottles are becoming a major source of pollution worldwide. | Source

Why Should We Recycle?

Before examining how much money can be earned through recycling, it is important to understand "why" humans should recycle Every year, tons of plastic finds its way to the ocean or is disposed of in landfills. Unfortunately, plastic is finding its way everywhere and taking up valuable space. And, as it breaks down, it threatens life itself.

Unfortunately, the accumulation of plastic continues to grow steadily worldwide. What accounts for this steady growth? One of the main culprits is the sale of bottled water.

Bottled Water Sales

Bottled water sales have been steadily increasing for the past decade and are becoming a major problem: In 2009, consumers in the United States purchased 8.45 billion gallons of bottled water. This number increased to an astounding 14.4 billion gallons in 2019 and is expected to rise in the decades ahead. That's a lot of plastic!

Sadly, these figures are representative of only one country. Even though the U.S. is the leading purchaser (and producer) of bottled water, the rest of the world consumes it too. Even more alarming is the fact that most of this plastic ends up in the garbage and is shipped to local landfills

Did You Know?

In the United States, it is currently estimated that only 8.3% of all plastic is recycled. This means the vast majority of plastic-based products end up in landfills or the world's oceans.

The Dangers of Plastic

Keeping landfills free of plastic should be a major goal for everyone. Did you know a ton of recycled plastic represents 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space? In addition, the plastic that breaks down in landfills leaves tiny pieces—or micro-plastics—which can pollute the soil and water over time. This presents a danger to both humans and animals alike.

Recently, large areas of the ocean have been identified as garbage patches. This poses a significant threat to oceanic life which, in turn, impacts humans who depend on fish for survival.

There are several different types of plastic. However, only a few of them are able to be recycled. | Source

Which Plastic Can You Recycle for Cash?

Now that we have identified “why” it is important to recycle, let’s turn our attention to the recycling process itself. Most of you are probably wondering how to make money recycling. But, did you know that only a few types of plastic are recyclable and redeemable for cash? Let’s take a closer look at each type.

There are currently seven different types of plastic worldwide. These include the following:

1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)
2. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or Vinyl)
4. Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam)
7. Other

Of these seven types, most recycling centers accept #1 and #2 plastics. "Plastics #3 to #6 are more difficult to recycle" but are sometimes accepted. However, plastic #7 is extremely difficult to repurpose and is "almost always excluded."

By and large, the most commonly recycled plastic is PET or PETE (sometimes referred to as #1 plastic or polyethylene terephthalate). This is the plastic used in single-use drink bottles and is transparent.

How to Determine the Different Types of Plastic

In order to determine which type of plastic you have, there are several ways to do it. The easiest way is to look for a "recycle symbol" on the bottom of an item. Products with a one (1) in the center indicate it is PET (#1 plastic). If you are unable to locate it, you can also read the product's label. This should indicate whether or not it contains recyclable PET.

Did You Know?

Most soda and water bottles can be recycled and repurposed for their original use. They can also be transformed into fiber products such as carpets and sweaters. Plastics numbered three through seven are rarely used for recycling. Once again, call recycling locations to be sure your plastic is accepted at their facility.

Should I Include the Cap When Recycling?

Yes and no. This depends entirely on the recycling center you are visiting. Sometimes, even the drinking bottles themselves will indicate whether or not you should include the cap when recycling. This often comes in the form of a graphic that indicates, "yes," recycle the bottle with the cap, or "no," don't include the cap.

In short, though, recyclers have different requirements depending on who they sell their recyclables to. In many cases, the way the vendor cuts up plastic—whether they shred, smash, or smelt it—will determine what is acceptable.

You should always call around to find a recycler who will accept your recyclables in the form you want. There is nothing more frustrating than going to a recycling center with a full load and finding out they do not accept what you have. Use the phone and know beforehand that your load is acceptable.

How to Crush and Transport Plastic Bottles to the Recycling Center : I used to buy large can liners to hold my recycled bottles, but no more! You can save a lot of money by using plastic grocery bags that we get everywhere. They are small, easy to carry, and get the job done. Best of all, they are free! Think about it. If you can go from $0.15 cents a bag to 0 cents a bag, do it.

Likewise, you should also crush your plastic bottles when possible. Many recycling centers require this to save space at their processing facilities. The video above provides some tips for crushing bottles. Simply crush the plastic bottle, ensure the excess air is squeezed out, and replace the cap to secure the vacuum.

How to Make Money Recycling Plastic: Now for the fun part! 

When recycling for cash, a motivated individual will want to avoid all costs if possible. So, start saving those bottles and use the plastic bags you get from shopping at the grocery store.    As we discussed above, you will also need to crush your bottles. Thin-walled drinking bottles, if undamaged, will hold a vacuum. Crush them by squeezing out any remaining air and applying a cap to hold the vacuum. Again, you can save space (and money) by making your own bottle and can crusher. The Internet has many examples. Let's look at two different ways you can crush bottles that cost nothing but a little time. Some of the best methods include the following:

1. Crush Bottles By Hand: Sometimes, brute strength is the simplest approach to crushing bottles. To make the process easier, remove the lid, twist the bottle's top, and press down. Some may find it easier to stomp on the bottle instead. Either way works great.
2. Flatten With Boards: You can also use two equal-size boards to crush your plastic bottles. Flat boards work best for this method. Simply place the bottle between the boards and press down in a "left to right" motion. Again, for best results, ensure the cap is removed before doing this.

Pro Tip!

While retrieving plastic bottles, pick up loose caps along the way. Not all of the bottles will have caps when you go to crush them. When this happens, use the extra caps to hold a vacuum.

How Much Money Can I Make Recycling Plastic Bottles?

This depends entirely on where you live. In “bottle bill” states with “bottle deposit laws,” individuals can expect to receive $0.05 to $0.10 per bottle they return to the recycling center. This means 50 bottles will earn you $2.50 to $5.00. Although this may not seem like a lot of money, you’d be surprised how many plastic bottles you go through in a month. This can really add up over time.

There are currently 10 states that have "bottle deposit laws" in place. These include the following:

• California
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Iowa
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York
• Oregon
• Vermont

As trivial as it may seem, a bottle without a cap will compress and then expand to twice the volume of a bottle whose vacuum is secured with a cap. | Source

Andrew James Crusher

Of course, anybody endeavoring to pick up petty cash with recycling will want recommendations on commercial-grade can and bottle crushers. After all, they make the process of crushing a lot easier and save a lot of time. I have purchased a couple over the years, but by far, the best was made by a company known as Andrew James.

This crusher has six moving parts, while the entire unit is made of steel. It has a bottle opener on the base and four screws for mounting. I mounted mine outside, so if you want to do that, you will need four masonry screws to hold it in place. Apart from its heavy gauge steel, the device also has a cushion grip handle to make the process easier on your hands.

Although the company claims the containers must have a 16 oz. capacity, I have found it will crush 28 oz. Gatorade, Propel, and Under Armor bottles with a bit of a push! To keep it functioning properly, I cover mine with plastic, so it doesn't rust outside. I also frequently lubricate the moving parts with oil.

I purchased mine on eBay for $25. But remember, you don't need to pay a penny for a crusher.

Bottle crushers are absolutely necessary for thick-walled juice and pop bottles. It is just too hard to crush them with your hands. | Source

9 Amazing Facts Regarding Plastic Refuse

• The average American goes through more than 250 pounds of plastic waste every year.
• Recycling of plastics has been done since the 1970s.
• The recycling rate of PET bottles and jars was 29.1 percent in 2018.
• In 2018, more than 35.7 million tons of plastic were generated in the United States alone.
• It is estimated that plastic takes five to 600 years to decompose in a landfill. On average, most plastic bottles will decompose in 450 years.
• By 2030, some 53 million tons of plastic will exist in our oceans, rivers, and lakes. In 1950, we created 2 million tons a year, which increased 200-fold by 2015.
• In 2018, only 8.7% of all plastic waste was recycled in the US.
• In 2018, 1.77 billion pounds of PET bottles were collected and sold to recyclers. This was 1% more than 2019.
  
• 91.3% of all plastic waste generated in the US was not recycled (2018).

Final Thoughts

My motivation for writing this article was, for the most part, twofold. My primary concern was to provide information that would be useful to curious individuals. In addition, I wanted folks who are feeling financial difficulties to feel motivated. For this latter group, my hope is that recycling will provide a little relief.

Although recycling won't make you rich, it does offer an opportunity to make some quick cash on the side. More importantly, you can feel good about doing something beneficial for the planet.

Resources

• Almanac. “Which Plastics Are Recyclable By Number?” 13 April 2023. Accessed: 9 June 2023. Web.

• Park, William. “What Can and Can’t be Recycled.” BBC. 26 May 2022. Accessed: 9 June 2023. Web.

• Ritchie, Hannah and Max Roser. “Plastic Pollution.” Our World in Data. September 2018. Accessed: 9 June 2023. Web.

• Teague, Katie. “Don’t Recycle Your Plastics the Wrong Way. Here’s How to Do It.” CNET. 22 April 2022. Accessed: 9 June 2023. Web.

• Vallie, Sarah. “How to Recycle Plastic.” WebMD. 12 January 2023. Accessed: 9 June 2023. Web.

• Zuckerman, Arthur. “60 Recycling Statistics: 2020/2021 Data, Trends & Predictions.” Compare Camp. 11 May 2020. Accessed: 9 June 2023. Web.