Frequently Asked Questions...
Where can I find used catalytic converters nearby?
I live in the "Space Coast" of FL and near zip 32905 & 32901. I want to find a regular or some regular junkyards or mechanics who dispose of or even sell catalytic converters so I can recycle the metals inside and hopefully win a contract with the EPA and save our environment too. I'm also interested in most anything that contains metals that are also known as PGM (platinum group metals)- like aircraft and car sparkplugs (bulk) to old or vintage dental office (patient) scrap metals that contain gold alloys, etc. Wehn I have enough money, I plan on buying a refinery of sorts, and this will help with the economy some, and possibly put a few jobs on the market too! Any ideas or assists? Thanks for any helpful ideas!
Answer:
Any junkyard will be happy to sell you a converter. That's what they do, acquire salvage cars and then part them off to the buying public. Getting them from a mechanic is probably nothing more complicated (note: I didn't say EASY) than making phone calls, banging on doors, etc.
There are already many buyers of catalytic converters so you'll have a bit of competition. You may source a few free ones, but the market being what it is, you'll probably find yourself paying. I've provided a link to one such buyer just to give you a bit of reference:
http://www.martin-metals.com/home.php
When you start off on this venture, ask yourself a few questions:
1) Assuming that you are going to be paying for your cats, where are you going to sell these cats? Buying them at one junkyard and selling to another? Not much money in that.
2) Are you hoping to get paid on the actual market values of the PGMs contained in the catalyst? For that, you need to send your material to a refiner.
And for that, you need volume. A minimum lot size per shipment would be somewhere around 500 whole cats or 1000lbs loose catalyst. Good money in that. Assuming a reasonable value, say, 2 grams platinum per cat, we're looking at 1000 grams or 32 ounces. $64,000 give or take. Of course, there are toll refining fees, transport, etc., but it's very worthwhile.
What do you think these cat buyers are in business for? To ship to ANOTHER buyer of cats? No, of course not. They consolidate a large number and then ship to a refinery. That's not entirely true. Some, in the interest of simplicity and quick payment, might send their converters to A-1 Specialized Services:
http://www.a-1specialized.com/index.cfm
A-1 Specialized Services is the largest dry processor/consolidator of converters in the US. They, in turn, typically send their catalyst to Impala IRS:
http://www.implats.co.za/business/irs.asp
I can provide you with a few companies in the States that provide toll refining services if you send me an e-mail. I wish you the best.
Ayumi,
P.S. You mentioned dental scrap metals. There IS a company very close to you that is perfectly suited to your needs in this department. Here's the link:
www.goldhunterinc.com:
 Scrap catalytic converter for platinum recycling IMPORT US $75.00 
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 Scrap catalytic converter for platinum recycling US $49.99
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 SCRAP CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR RECYCLING PLATINUM US $252.49
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 2 FULL CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLATINUM SCRAP RECYCLE US $120.33
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 Scrap catalytic converter recycling scrap metal US $24.99
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 SCRAP CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLATINUM RECYCLING RECOVERY US $23.50
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 SCRAP CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECYCLING PLATINUM US $76.00
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 Catalytic Converter for SCRAP ONLY ! 7 lbs 4 oz RECYCLING RECOVERY US $76.00
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 Scrap Catalytic Converter For Metal/ Platinum Recovery Recycling US $13.16
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 OEM LARGE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SCRAP PLATINUM FOR RECOVERY RECYCLE US $31.00
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 CATALYTIC CAT CONVERTER SCRAP METAL PLATINUM RECOVERY RECYCLING PALLADIUM 25 LBS US $410.00
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 2 Scrap Catalytic Converters (recycling only) US $130.00
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 1 FULL CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLATINUM SCRAP RECYCLE US $57.00
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 CATALYTIC CONVERTER SCRAP PLATINUM FOR RECOVERY RECYCLE US $49.99
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 SCRAP CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLATINUM RECOVERY RECYCLE IMPORT US $77.66
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 scrap OEM catalytic converter for recycling US $40.00
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 catalytic converter scrap recycle platinum US $20.00
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 ASIAN Foreign CATALYTIC Converter SCRAP Recycling PLATINUM Rhodium PALLADIUM Cat US $52.00
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 100 Catalytic Converter Lot Precious Scrap Metal Pre Platinum Alloy Recycle Cats US $5,500.00
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 Two domestic Scrap catalytic converter cat recycle platinum palladium rhodium US $89.99
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 Scrap catalytic converter cat platinum palladium for recycling US $359.99
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 SCRAP ASIAN CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR RECYCLING ONLY US $25.00
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 Scrap Recycle CATALYTIC CONVERTER 23 lbs Platinum Rhodium Palladium recovery US $99.00
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 2 catalytic converters for scrap recycling US $9.99
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 4 Catalytic Converters for scrap recycling US $66.00
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 LARGE SCRAP catalytic converter for recycle platinum US $94.00
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 Two Scrap Catalytic Converters For Metal Recycling Only US $159.99
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 Scrap catalytic converter cat for recycling platinum palladium US $499.00
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 HUGE SCRAP CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR PLATINUM RECOVERY RECYCLING PRECIOUS METALS US $174.95
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 SCRAP CATALYTIC CONVERTER FOR PLATINUM RECOVERY RECYCLING PRECIOUS METALS US $74.95
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