Specific Product Definitions

Get Details of the Items We Accept

In order to speed up the process of your commercial, industrial, or residential recycling, please read through the specific product descriptions below to learn what we can and can't accept. Contact us to learn about our easy pick-up and drop-off services. It's easy to collect money for your needed items with R & T Unit Can Company!

Product Definitions

• Aluminum Cans
• Non-magnetic beverage cans
• No aluminum foil
• Aluminum food cans are okay if washed out
• No trash inside, such as cigarette butts, liquids, etc.
• Any amount
• Please put in barrels or bags but not small plastic grocery bags
• Pop Tabs
• Better if still attached to the can as cans are worth more
• Aluminum tabs, not steel
• Non-magnetic
• Painted Siding
• Aluminum siding, gutters, soffits
• All lengths
• Non-magnetic
• Easier to handle if cut to 10-feet lengths or less
• Cast Aluminum
• Barbecue grill lids, transmissions, etc.
• Generally rough, grainy surface texture
• Non-magnetic
• Aluminum alloy melted and formed in a mold
• Magnesium
• Resembles cast aluminum but lighter
• Non-magnetic
• Lawnmower decks, chainsaw bodies, etc.
• Don't mix with aluminum
• Must be free of other metals
• Mixed Clip
• Several groups and alloys of aluminum
• Series from 1000 to 7000 and higher
• Must be free of contaminants, including paint, grease, dirt, and other metals
• No pots or pans
• Non-magnetic
• Extruded Aluminum
• 6000 series
• Made by heating and pushing through a mold for specific designs
• May include perfect 90-degree corners and lines running lengthwise
• Used for commercial doors and windows
• Non-magnetic
• Free of contaminants like other metals, rubber, etc.
• Please separate bare from painted pieces
• Thermal Extrusion
• Same as extruded aluminum but with plastic or acrylic lining
• Lining acts as an internal / external barrier
• Sheet Aluminum
• Clean aluminum
• Does not fit any previous categories
• Free of excess steel or contaminants 
• Aluminum Breakage
• Contaminated aluminum
• Has excess steel, plastic, rubber, or other contaminants 
• Aluminum Auto Rims
• Car rims
• No chrome plating
• No tires
• Chromed Auto Rims
• Chrome-plated aluminum rims
• Slightly magnetic
• Truck Rims
• Used on semi-trucks and trailers
• Insulated Aluminum Wire (ACSR)
• Overhead and underground aluminum wire
• Plastic or rubber coating
• Includes bare aluminum wire with steel core
• Clean Aluminum Wire
• No plastic or rubber coating
• No steel core
• Cannot be burned
• Bare Bright Copper
• Stripped of rubber or plastic insulation
• Bright, shiny appearance
• No solder
• All sizes
• No zinc or silver coating
• #1 Copper
• 16 gauge or individual strands of 1/16 inch diameter
• No rubber or plastic coating
• No soldered ends
• Can be copper tubing that appears brand new
• No paint or corrosion
• Wire can be burned off
• Can be a flat bar or sheet stock if bright and shiny
• #2 Copper
• Mainly copper tubing with soldered joints
• Smaller copper wire that has been burned off
• #3 Copper
• Sheet copper
• Used on roofing, pots, pans, and vases
• Must be free of tar
• Can be soldered
• Insulated Copper Wire
• Weatherproof
• Plastic or rubber coating
• Separated in categories based on recovery rates: 80%, 65%, and 40%
• Romex household wiring - 65%
• Extension and appliance cords - 40%
• Red Brass
• Reddish color when ground
• Casted, rough surface
• 85% copper
• Non-magnetic
• Yellow Brass
• Yellow color when ground
• Non-magnetic
• 65% copper
• Separate brass shell casings
• Separate brass turnings
• Heater Cores
• Small radiators used in vehicle heating systems
• Brass and solder
• Cleaner items free of steel, plastic, or foam are worth more
• Brass Radiators
• Used in car or truck cooling systems
• Mostly brass with copper fins between brass tubes
• Cleaner items free of steel or plastic are worth more
• AC Radiators
• Aluminum / copper for air conditioning
• Copper tubes surrounded by aluminum fins
• Cleaner items free of steel or plastic are worth more