Solder Dross

Solder Dross

Along with selling solder bars, Indium Corporation's solder reclaim program uses state-of-the-art electrolytic recycle processes that removes both organic and metallic impurities from contaminated tin-lead and lead-free solder and solder dross.

Features & Benefits

  • VALUE-ADDED PROCESS – complements complete line of solder products and services
  • SIMPLE and EASY – detailed instructions tell you exactly what you need to do
  • SAFE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT – environmentally conscious, electrolytic recycling of your used solder into usable solder that is as pure, or more pure, than virgin metal
Solder Recycling Triangle

Assured Recycling

Indium Corporation's solder reclaim program uses state-of-the-art electrolytic recycle processes that removes both organic and metallic impurities from contaminated tin-lead and lead-free solder and solder dross.

If you are a solder user with less regular dross generation, you can still take advantage of Indium Corporation's assured and documented solder recycling. We will:

  • Purchase your solder dross and contaminated solder
  • Assay the material
  • Pay you for the value of the dross and contaminated metal
  • Send you a certificate confirming that the metal was properly recycled and not put in a landfill

Acceptable materials for recycling:

  • Tin-lead and lead-free soft solder and solder dross containing major components of tin, lead, silver, and copper with virtually any minor metal contaminants
  • Unopened jars of solder paste
  • Other soft solder alloys that contain greater than 1% bismuth, zinc, cadmium, or other metals may be acceptable, but must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the solder is known to contain these other metals then the solder or dross should be segregated from normal solder and dross.

Assured Recycling Pricing

With the Assured Recycle option, Indium Corporation purchases the material outright. The value of the material to be recycled is determined based on an assay that we perform upon receipt of the metal. Since solder dross generally includes both non-metallic oxygen (as metal oxide) and a small amount of organics from flux, both the metallic content – as a percentage of total weight – and the metallic components must be analyzed.

  • Dross with a higher percentage of metal is worth more than dross where the metal has been squeezed out.
  • Dross that has a reclaimable amount of silver or gold is worth more than drosses that do not contain precious metals.
  • Although Indium Corporation will pay for reclaimable precious metals, we cannot pay published market price because we must involve a secondary reclaim company that specializes in precious metals reclaim.

Indium Corporation can help make arrangements with a licensed waste handler to take back large quantities of used solder paste jars and wipes. Because we cannot accept this waste in our facility, you must ship the waste jars and wipes directly to the third party waste handler, who will then reclaim the metal and plastic from the jars and wipes.

Instructions for Shipping Contaminated Solder and Solder Dross

  1. Make sure all containers are sealed to prevent leakage or spills. Can lids must be secured.
  2. Identify your company and the material on the packing slip.
  3. Containers must be labeled with the Indium Corporation-supplied or comparable labels. Examples of proper labels can be found here.
  4. Material must be banded and wrapped securely on a pallet. Attach the Indium Corporation-supplied labels only after the material in the cans has cooled to room temperature.
  5. For shipments of 500 lbs. or more, Indium Corporation will pay the freight charge. Send the shipment “freight collect” via Old Dominion Freight Lines at 800-611-6335. Note Third Party Billing to Indium Corporation c/o Kenco Transportation Management, Attn: Accounts Payable / Acct#12745755, 2001 Riverside Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37406.

  6. Destination:
    Indium Corporation
    Attn: Solder Recycle
    80 Scott St.
    Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
    Phone: 847-439-9135

    Sample Bill of Lading

  7. If you are shipping 1,000 lbs. or more of lead-containing material, then the trucking company will need a #9 placard for the truck. Most truckers have these available; however, Indium Corporation will supply one at no cost if you need one.
Shipping Containers

Using Shipping Containers

  • Use green buckets for lead-free.
  • Use black buckets for tin-lead.
  • Include a maximum of 75 lbs. of material per bucket.
  • To avoid destroying the labels, apply labels to the side of the buckets after the buckets are full and are at room temperature.
  • Seal buckets tightly to avoid accidentally spilling material.

NOTE: We CANNOT accept empty solder containers, rags, wipes, etc. If the shipment contains these items, the shipment will be refused at the dock and the entire shipment will be returned at your expense.

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