America Recycles Day: How to Make Green Part of Your Precious Metal Recycling Routine

America Recycles Day, also known as National Recycling Day, is an important date for any person, business or organization concerned about their impact on the environment. Established in 1988, America Recycles Day is all about taking action to encourage and promote recycling to help save precious natural resources and keep the planet cleaner and greener.

For jewelers, pawnbrokers, and other businesses that handle gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, this nationwide recycling initiative is a valuable reminder that recycling scrap metal isn’t just good for the environment…it’s good for their bottom line too. We talked with our own Peter B Spector to get his take on why this year’s America Recycles Day gives Noble Metal Refining customers added incentive to recycle their scrap metal now!

The Timing is “Spot” On

With the current high price of precious metals, most notably gold and silver, Spector encourages his clients to “go through your safes and aged inventory. There is money sitting in your shops that can be put to good use,” he says.  Spector advises that this approach is  “much better than waiting indefinitely for the ONE buyer who may or may not ever come into your store and be interested in this items or items. We have clients who have been sitting on gold items for a year or more. Those items can be recycled and put to good use as cash to buy more gold, pay taxes, cover payroll and more.” 

“When scrapping metals,” Spector continues, “it’s hard to predict when prices will peak, so take a good price and move forward. I have clients who hadn’t scrapped since gold was $2800 and now it’s $4000*. I think that’s a good jump and a good time to get it done. Could they have priced metal a few hundred higher? Maybe, but it’s still $1,200 higher than where it was just several months ago, so don’t ignore those gains!”  

Why Recycling Precious Metal Scrap Matters

“Every filing, polishing cloth, and miscast piece of jewelry holds hidden value,” says Spector. Over time, these small bits of scrap can add up to significant returns when sent to a trusted refinery. Beyond the financial reward, recycling precious metals reduces the need for new mining, helping conserve natural resources and limit environmental impact.

How Often Should You Recycle?

The ideal recycling schedule depends on your business volume, but consistency is key. Here’s a general guide:

• High-volume shops (busy jewelers, manufacturing facilities): recycle every 1–2 months.
• Moderate-volume shops (independent jewelers, pawn brokers): aim for quarterly recycling.
• Smaller operations or those with seasonal peaks: schedule recycling twice a year, perhaps before the holidays, at the start of the new year, or whenever your schedule is typically lighter.

Setting Up a Recycling Routine

“Think of recycling as part of your shop maintenance routine,” Spector advises. “Just as you clean your tools or restock supplies, scheduling regular scrap shipments to your precious metal refiner keeps your operation efficient and your cash flow steady.” Here’s how to establish a regular schedule of metal collection and recycling for your jewelry or pawn business:

Designate a collection area. Keep separate containers for filings, sweeps, polishing dust, and scrap jewelry.

Track your progress. Note how quickly each container fills to find your ideal recycling frequency.

Partner with a trusted refinery. This ensures consistent service, accurate returns, and transparent reporting.

Mark your calendar. Treat recycling like any other recurring task. Schedule reminders and stick to them.

Turn Recycling Into a (Profitable) Habit

Spector encourages his customers to look at America Recycles Day as the ideal time to evaluate their shop’s practices and set a recycling plan in motion. “With a reliable schedule and a trusted refining partner,” Spector says, “you can turn your metals into valuable returns, while doing your part for the environment at the same time.”

Get Started

Click Here to order free collection containers and shipping labels for your precious metal scrap materials, and begin recycling with Noble Metal Refining today.

*As of November 7, 2025.