JUL 09, 2022
You've got some leftover bullets and casings. But you don't know how to dispose of them properly. What should you do? Don't throw them out with the regular trash for safety reasons, but is there anywhere you can recycle them? This article will explain options available through a scrap metal company or other methods. RCM Recycling is happy to help you navigate this question.
The answer is they are not recyclable in a way you would think, and they cannot be recycled through a scrap metal company. When the pandemic came about, many people went out and immediately obtained their permits, which led to a significant shortage in guns and ammunition. Some retail establishments stopped carrying these items since it wasn't worth the stress of never having them in stock. It is likely that some political activities also led to this decision.
It is common to stand in line for hours to try and get the elusive rounds you need, only to find none available. When you can get them, they are like gold, but what do you do if they aren't the rounds you need, and you have them on hand?
Many believe that all gun-related materials are recyclable, but this is not true. Even though some materials may look similar to other household items, they cannot be recycled because they contain hazardous chemicals or live explosives. Live explosives include hand grenades, mines, bombs, and other military weapons.
Some police departments accept used or unused bullets for recycling purposes. Call your local police department to ask about their policies and procedures regarding bullet disposal services. Police departments do not recycle; they dispose of it.
Some gun ranges accept all types of firearms and ammunition, while others will only take certain kinds of weapons or types of ammo. It is essential to check with your local range before bringing in any items to make sure they will accept them.
The NRA offers programs that help gun ranges reduce their environmental impact through recycling methods. Gun ranges may also accept some or all of your used bullets and casings for free if you do not have access to a recycling program or want to keep them out of the landfill altogether. Call before visiting any local range to ensure they accept used bullets and casings for recycling.
Yes! The casings from shotgun shells and pistol rounds are recyclable through most scrap metal recycling programs. You should wash and dry the casings before putting them in the bin, so they don't get mixed with other materials and contaminate them with lead dust. Any brass casings should be separated from steel ones, as well as any copper-based casings (which are sometimes used in shotgun shells).
Before you begin any recycling process with bullets and casings, it's essential to wash them thoroughly so that no dirt or debris remains on them. Cleaning them will also help ensure they are ready to melt down into new products.
Once cleaned and dried, bullets and casings should be separated by type (brass vs. steel) and caliber (smaller bullets should be separated from larger ones). This will make it easier for you to sell your scrap material directly to a scrap yard or recycling center when selling online is not an option. The more ammunition you have available, the better chance of getting rid of it all at once rather than finding several buyers over time.
RCM Recycling recycles brass and other types of metal, such as aluminum and steel. Through scrap metal recycling, we can recycle these materials by shredding them into small pieces, which allows the material to be melted down and reused in another product.
