How to Find Scrap Lead

Scrap lead can be found in many places.

Lead is a metal that is known to be highly resistant to corrosion. Soft, malleable, and bluish-white in color, lead is one of the first known metals. In fact, its origins date back about 5,000 years. In the past, lead was used for petroleum additives and soldering as well as cable sheathing. But, because of its toxicity (chronic exposure to lead can cause brain damage), the use of lead has been reduced considerably. Selling scrap lead for money is a great additional source of income, which has a feel-good factor to it. Finding scrap lead is not as difficult as you might imagine.

Instructions

1. Make a list of objects that contain lead. These will be the items you will hunt for. Lead can be found in TV sets, computers, and other electronics as well as automotive and household batteries.

2. Start with your own residence. When replacing appliances, sell the old appliances (many of which contain lead) for scrap. Collect any "junk" lead that may be scattered through out your property or lying around in your garage.

3. Get friends, relatives, and neighbors involved. Tell them that you are perfectly willing to collect scrap lead from their properties. Ask them to save any lead-containing batteries and other objects. You can highlight the environmental aspect of your interest in collecting scrap lead to appear more eco-friendly and caring about recycling metals.

4. Put fliers up in the neighborhood where you live, in churches and community centers as well as on local bulletin boards. Leave your contact information and a list of items you may be interested in, like old appliances or lead batteries.

5. Check trash receptables and dumpsters in your area, particularly near apartment complexes. Old appliances can be found waiting to be scooped up by you.

6. Do the earth a favor by scrapping old abandoned metal objects tangled in weeds, lying around on the side of the road, or rusting in fields.

References

• Obviously.com: Recycling More Obscure Materials
• The Metal Casting: Lead Scrap Value