Where Do I Take My Scrap Electric Motors to be Recycled Safely?
Where Do I Take My Scrap Electric Motors to be Recycled Safely?
An electric motor is an electrical machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Devices like industrial fans, blowers, pumps, and more need electric motors to work. There are small, large, and over-sized motors that can be found in common items such as microwaves, hand tools, air conditioners and more.
Most motors contain valuable copper and aluminum components. However, the exterior of most motors comprised of steel with a strong shell which protects the more fragile wiring and parts within. Additionally, some motors contain aluminum instead of copper. Most noteworthy. like copper, aluminum conducts of electricity and works well in some applications.
These various components can make recycling electric motors difficult for some recycling facilities. Interco is not a broker or “middleman”. On the contrary, Interco brings in scrap from across North America to process, dismantle, and pack for transportation all on the main facility.
Scrap Electric Motors
Interco recycles numerous pounds of motors each year.
As a result, recyclers classify motors into three main categories of size:
- Small motors usually fit about the size of a basketball and not much larger than an apple.
- As a result, recyclers classify motors larger than a basketball, but less than 2,000 pounds as large motors.
- Motors weighing more than 2,000 pounds over-sized motors. These motors vary in demand due to their size and nonferrous metallic content.
Scrap electric motors eventually reach end-of-life status, which urges the question of how to properly dispose of the material.
In fact, recycling electric motors leads to the reuse of valuable materials and the opportunity to reduce landfill population.
The Recycling Process
The process of recycling electric motors should be direct and straightforward:
- First, the recyclers collect many electric motors as possible to increase the possibility of getting enough copper.
- A hammer or hammering mill breaks the metallic casing of the motor.
- Then they separate the components and group them according to their materials.
- Finally, they take the separated components to their different recycling points and recycle them.
Electric motors convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. An electric motor contains a number of components embedded in it. These components are responsible for its converting ability, namely:
- The shaft
- Copper windings
- Bearings
- Armature
- Stator
- Commutator
- Terminals
- Case
These mentioned components all make it possible for the electric motor to successfully convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. The valuable and recyclable metals include:
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Iron
- The steel case around the motor
About Interco
The company has been a member of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) since 1996. ISRI is the voice of the recycling industry advocating safe, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible recycling through networking, advocacy, and education.
Interco was the second company in the world to receive R2v3 certification. The R2 standard promotes responsible recycling. The 400,000+ sqft. Interco operates on is centrally located on the Illinois-side of St. Louis in the shadows of the Gateway Arch.
Interco buys domestic loads of scrap electric motors in mixed or straight loads in combination with any other nonferrous metals or eScrap. In addition, the Interco facility is comprised of seven buildings on more than 45 acres. The team at Interco offers services that earn the title of the best company to recycle scrap electric motors. Interco processes more than 1,000 tons of scrap electric motors each month. Through reuse and recycling, electric motor recycling can reduce what goes to the landfill, reduce waste, and save on energy used to produce new materials.
Sell Electric Motors to Interco
The team at Interco operates with dealers and industrial partners throughout North America as well as Central and South America. Interco buys scrap electric motors by the truckload to recycle them safely.
So, where do I take my scrap electric motors to be recycled safely? With a convenient, central location just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri in Madison, Illinois, Interco is within close proximity to four major interstates (I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70) that intersect all of the Midwest and Central USA possibilities.
To learn more about recycling electric motors, click here to contact Interco.