Alter Metal Recycling - Bloomington

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Alter Metal Recycling - Bloomington A worldwide leader in scrap metal recycling for over 125 years.

Fall is a good time to go through the garage, shed, and yard before the cold sets in. If you've got old appliances, auto...
10/16/2026

Fall is a good time to go through the garage, shed, and yard before the cold sets in. If you've got old appliances, auto parts, or leftover materials from a project sitting around, bring it to us at the yard, and make some $$$.

Some restrictions may apply on appliances and copper in some locations. Not sure if something qualifies? Give us a call or check altertrading.com.

A few ways to tell common metals apart before you get to the yard:MAGNET TEST — ferrous metals like steel and iron are m...
10/13/2026

A few ways to tell common metals apart before you get to the yard:

MAGNET TEST — ferrous metals like steel and iron are magnetic. Non-ferrous metals like copper, aluminum, and brass are not. This is the quickest way to separate the two categories.
COLOR — copper is reddish-orange and distinct. Brass is yellow-gold. Aluminum is silver-gray and lightweight. Stainless steel is silver but heavier than aluminum.
WEIGHT — aluminum is notably light for its size. Cast iron and steel are dense and heavy. Copper is heavier than it looks.
FLEXIBILITY — aluminum sheet bends easily. Steel takes more force. Copper wire is pliable but has a distinct weight to it.

When in doubt, our team can help identify what you've got at the yard.

The US recycles about 80 million tons of it every year. One of the biggest benefits of recycling steel is that it never ...
10/08/2026

The US recycles about 80 million tons of it every year.

One of the biggest benefits of recycling steel is that it never loses its quality when it's recycled. It can be melted down and reformed indefinitely, and comes out just as strong every time.

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and we wanted to recognize Alter employees from around the country for their work on ...
10/06/2026

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and we wanted to recognize Alter employees from around the country for their work on local volunteer firefighting teams!

Thank you for all of your hard work on our team and in your community!

Fall is a good time to go through the garage, shed, and yard before everything freezes over. A few things worth pulling ...
10/05/2026

Fall is a good time to go through the garage, shed, and yard before everything freezes over.

A few things worth pulling out for a trip to the yard:
- Old water heaters being replaced before winter�
- Aluminum window and door frames from renovation work�
- Lawn equipment done for the season — mowers, tillers, edgers�
- Auto parts, batteries, and vehicles not going back on the road�
- Leftover steel or aluminum from summer projects�
- Copper wire or plumbing from remodeling work�
- AC units being swapped out before storage

Not sure if something qualifies? Here's a list we've put together of what is acceptable
Some restrictions may apply to copper and appliances in some locations. Please call with any questions.

October 2nd is National Manufacturing Day.A lot of what gets manufactured in this country starts as scrap. A significant...
10/02/2026

October 2nd is National Manufacturing Day.

A lot of what gets manufactured in this country starts as scrap. A significant portion of the raw steel, aluminum, and copper going into mills and manufacturers comes from recycled metal dropped off at yards like ours.

You bring it in, we process it, it goes to a mill, and it becomes something new. Alter has been that part of the chain since 1898.

10/01/2026

50 new gondola railcars are now part of the Alter Trading fleet—strengthening our transportation network and supporting the movement of recycled metal back into steelmaking.

Built by The Greenbrier Companies using SSAB Zero™ steel, these railcars represent more than an investment in transportation capacity. They are a tangible example of the circular economy in action.

The recycled steel used to produce the SSAB Zero™ steel for these railcars came from high-quality recycled metal processed by Alter Trading. SSAB transformed that recycled metal into SSAB Zero™ steel, and Greenbrier used it to manufacture the railcars that will now help Alter move more recycled metal to steel producers.

Recycled by Alter. Transformed by SSAB. Manufactured by Greenbrier. Back in service with Alter.

That’s the circular economy in action—and a powerful example of what’s possible when recycling, steelmaking and manufacturing come together.

We’re proud to collaborate with SSAB and Greenbrier on this project and to showcase what’s possible when recycling, steelmaking, and manufacturing come together.

Alter is pleased to share with this press release its part in the collaboration with SSAB and The Greenbrier Companie...
10/01/2026

Alter is pleased to share with this press release its part in the collaboration with SSAB and The Greenbrier Companies in utilizing the SSAB Zero™ steel to strengthen our rail fleet.

Copper, brass and aluminum can look pretty similar when they’re dirty or coated. Here’s a quick way to tell them apart:•...
09/29/2026

Copper, brass and aluminum can look pretty similar when they’re dirty or coated. Here’s a quick way to tell them apart:

• Copper: reddish-brown when scratched
• Brass: yellow-gold
• Aluminum: silver and lightweight

Scratching a small patch can help you figure out what you're working with and make it easier to sort your scrap before drop-off.

Today is National Crush a Can Day!This day reminds us how important it is to recycle aluminum cans, one of the most recy...
09/27/2026

Today is National Crush a Can Day!

This day reminds us how important it is to recycle aluminum cans, one of the most recycled materials in the U.S. In fact, aluminum is 100% recyclable and takes 95% less energy to make a new can from an old one. Yet, over a million tons still end up in landfills every year.

Recycling our aluminum cans contributes positively to the world and our local economy.

Address

501 E. Stewart St
Bloomington, IL
61701

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 11:45am
12:30pm - 3:45pm
Tuesday 8am - 11:45am
12:30pm - 3:45pm
Wednesday 8am - 11:45am
12:30pm - 3:45pm
Thursday 8am - 11:45am
12:30pm - 3:45pm
Friday 8am - 11:45am
12:30pm - 3:45pm

Telephone

(309) 828-6084

Website

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