How to Recycle Catalytic Converter Metal
If you are asking how to recycle catalytic converter metal, it's because you know something that the "average Joe" does not. The fact is that very precious metals are used in the manufacturing of catalytic converters, and that metal is valuable and recyclable. The main valuable metal is platinum but also rhodium and palladium are present.
Tools Needed:
- Large Screwdriver
- Vise
- Tire Iron or Claw Bar
- Heavy Hammer
- Start by removing the junk catalytic converter from the vehicle. Some are bolted on while others are welded.
- Place the catalytic securely in the vise. Don't put the center of the catalytic converter in the vice right away as it will simply crush it.
- Punch a hole through from the inlet to the outlet with the tire iron or claw bar. Some inlets are straight across from each other and others are at an angle from each other.
- Keep working the tire iron or claw into the catalytic converter until you are through the inlet and outlet.
- Jam the iron in to loosen the metal along the sides. Once you start to get it broken up, it will fall out.
- Stop periodically to empty the broken metal.
- Clean out the catalytic converter the best you can by working the metal inside loose with the screwdriver and claw.
- Crush the catalytic converter in the vise to loosen the last bits.
- Find local recycling yards that accept metal from catalytic converters. Give each a call and ask how much they are paying to find the highest paying one.
- Junk the casing and turn in the precious metals for cash.