The prices of scrap metals are at all time highs. Metals like aluminum and copper that, even a few years ago, were only worth a small amount have now risen to unimaginable prices. There are people that make a living off from just selling scrap!
Knowing that, there are two things you can do to help stamp our scrap in your quality process.
The first thing you can do is minimize scrap. This includes using molds and patterns that make the most efficient use of your raw materials. This means reexamining how machines produce parts and how these processes can be improved to minimize loss.
The second is to gather up all of your remaining scrap and either melt it down for internal recycling or have it processed by a local recycling center. If you have an internal process to recycle materials, you will not only save money from buying new materials but you will be helping the environment. If you don’t have an internal process, a local recycling center that specializes in scrap reclamation will pay top dollar for materials these days. Those centers will put money for your scrap back into the coffers of your company, and thus improving the quality of your material handling.
