- 1Remove nails and screws
- 2Clean off any paint or coatings if possible
- 3Separate from steel components
- 4Cut to manageable lengths
- Scrap metal dealers
- Aluminum recyclers
- Construction waste facilities
Aluminum is infinitely recyclable. High scrap value makes recycling economically attractive.
Clean aluminum siding commands premium pricing ($0.75 to $0.95 per pound) compared to mixed aluminum with steel attachments ($0.30 to $0.50 per pound). The difference can be 50 to 100 percent more value. Proper preparation makes this upgrade practical.
Fastener Removal
Most aluminum siding and gutters are attached with steel screws and nails. Removing these steel components moves your material from mixed aluminum pricing to clean aluminum pricing, which can add $0.15 to $0.25 per pound.
A quality socket set makes quick work of removing screws from aluminum siding, gutters, and trim. Most construction materials use standard 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch bolts, so a basic set handles most jobs efficiently.
Time vs value: Removing fasteners from 50 pounds of siding takes about 20 minutes and adds $7.50 to $12.50 in value. That's an effective rate of $22 to $37 per hour.
Material Identification and Sorting
Proper identification ensures you're getting aluminum pricing, not steel pricing. Sorting keeps materials organized and prevents contamination.
A strong magnet instantly identifies ferrous vs non ferrous materials. Aluminum won't stick. If something sticks, it's steel and should be separated for different pricing.
Storage bins keep your sorted aluminum separate from steel and other materials. Mixed loads get docked hard at most yards. Proper sorting can add $20 to $50 per trip just from keeping materials separated.
Professional approach: The total investment for socket set, magnet, and storage bins ($100 to $150) typically pays back within the first load if you're processing 50 pounds or more of aluminum siding. These tools also work for other materials, making them versatile additions to your recycling toolkit.