Stainless steel is the second most commonly recycled nonferrous metal. It encompasses steel alloys that contains a minimum proportion of chromium. Another metal commonly used as an alloy in stainless steel is nickel. Unlike other nonferrous metals, stainless steel can be magnetic, depending upon nickel content. More nickel reduces the magnetic properties of the stainless steel. Stainless steel will spark in response to a grinding wheel.
Stainless steel is often found on countertops in restaurants of commercial food preparation plants, dairies, beverage plants, and more. In house remodeling, old stainless steel sinks find their way into the recycling stream.
