Five Kinds of Precious Platinum Scrap That Is Getting Tossed . . .
that’s Right, Tossed!
With platinum trading for nearly $900 on the London Fix, why would anybody throw it away? But the fact is, people do toss platinum for several reasons, including . . .
They don’t realize they are looking at platinum. Even though it is a bright white-toned metal, it does discolor when it is exposed to heat and some chemicals.
They mistake platinum for other metals. People who are looking at platinum scrap can mistake it for less valuable white metals like silver and even aluminum.
They don’t know where to look. Platinum can be hidden inside devices, so they don’t know it is there.
So, Where Will You Find Platinum, Recycle It, and Make Money?
Here’s a checklist of easy-to-overlook items that are either made of platinum or contain it.
Platinum thermocouple wires – They are found in air conditioning systems, kitchen ranges, and in lots of factories. We have written about them before on this blog. One recent post, “How to Make Big Dollars by Collecting Thermocouples,” offers great advice on profiting from them.
Implantable and other medical devices – Most pacemakers and implantable defibrillators have platinum outer casings. Some have electrodes and wires that contain platinum too. Even though most companies that make these devices retrieve unused units and update them, it is still sometimes possible to find quantities of unused devices stored in hospitals. Also be on the lookout for probes, cadmium tips and other unused items of testing equipment.
Laboratory equipment. We have written in the past about this kind of scrap. Vessels, crucibles, tongs and other pieces of lab equipment are often made of pure platinum. Often, it has become discolored due to exposure to high heat. Don’t overlook this great source of platinum that can be recycled profitably.
Platinum sponge. Platinum sponge is used in a variety of plating operations. The fascinating thing about it is that when it degrades, it looks like black crumbly powder. Yet despite its appearance, it is made up of platinum that is virtually pure. You can find it in drains and pipes that are attached to plating tanks. To learn more about this easy-to-miss kind of platinum scrap, call our consultants at 800-426-2344.
Automotive and industrial catalytic converters. Even though more and more electric cars are being made every day, catalytic converters are still being used in about 90% of new cars. Plus, used units can be found on old cars in junkyards, and in muffler shops and other service centers. Even though you need to collect a batch of at least 500 old cat converters before we can process them for you, they can still be a good investment if you can find a source. Again, call us at 800-426-2344 to learn more.
We Are Your Platinum Recycling Experts
Don’t let valuable platinum scrap slip through your fingers. Call us instead and turn your platinum discoveries into bright shiny cash. We are here at 800-426-2344 to answer all your questions.