Whether it’s improving operational efficiency or reducing waste, most businesses seek out ways to unlock value. One way they do this is by implementing a catalytic converter recycling process.
Unfortunately, many yard owners leave money on the table by selling their converters based on price lists or serial number catalogs.
How to Get a Quote
Getting the best price for your catalytic converter scrap requires some advanced work. For starters, you should always get quotes from multiple locations to ensure you’re being offered a fair price for your converters. It would be best if you also were wary of buyers with limited knowledge about cat converters. It could indicate that they’re not able to classify the converters properly or grade them correctly, which, in turn, can negatively impact your payout.
Whether you’re selling your CAT to a local junkyard, recycling center, or a large scrap buyer, it’s essential to know how to get an accurate price quote. Fortunately, most CATs have their serial numbers stamped (even if it’s faded from years of exposure). You can find this information by rubbing the CAT with some automotive oil to clean it or by running the serial number through a cat converter pricing app or website. You can even look up prices by model.
Find a Scrap Yard
Metal scraps can be found all over, including at construction sites, residential trash piles, and even yard sales. Many must realize they are throwing away precious materials like copper and aluminum, which are valuable at the scrap yard.
It’s essential to ensure you receive the highest possible return for your scrap. It is necessary to take specific measures. It is imperative to invest time in finding, sorting, and preparing it before taking it to the scrapyard. The most valuable items are pure and clean metals, so remove any screws, wood, or other materials that may be mixed with the scrap. It’s also helpful to have a magnet handy, as the ability to distinguish ferrous and non-ferrous metals is an essential step in determining the scrap value of your converters.
Depending on the type of catalytic converter and its specific make, it may be worth more or less than other types. The price of the precious metals inside can vary depending on supply and demand for those particular car parts, as well as the secondary markets for those metals.
Identify the Type of Converter
Catalytic converters contain rare precious metals with high value in the scrap metal market. Because of this, they are often targeted by thieves for their sale value at scrap yards and recycling plants.
The price of these metals will determine the amount you receive for your old converter. Newer converters are typically worth more than older ones because they contain more platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals eliminate nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons by causing chemical reactions to make the pollutants less harmful.
Each converter has an identifying serial number that can be run through a database to reveal the vehicle make, year, and model it came from. It is helpful because it allows brokers to know whether they are purchasing a legitimate converter or one that has been stolen. If a scrap yard is quoting prices significantly higher or lower than other yards, it may be a red flag that they need to be correctly classifying the converters.
Keep the Body on
Catalytic converters are one of the most expensive parts of a car, and they contain precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. They have become a popular target for thieves who want to cash in on their scrap value.
A thief can crawl under a vehicle, saw off the converter, and be out of sight in less than 30 seconds. They are straightforward to steal on vehicles with high profiles, such as SUVs and pickup trucks.
Metal recyclers are taking decisive action to combat the alarming increase in catalytic converter thefts, implementing stringent measures to prevent criminals from stealing these valuable parts. A Houston-area recycler invented a barrier called the Cat Strap, lined with airplane-grade steel cables and a motion sensor that triggers a 130-decibel alarm when someone approaches. In addition, some metal recyclers now check for ID from mechanics or individuals to discourage converter thieves. It is an essential step in reducing the number of stolen catalytic converters in the country.
