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It’s surprising to know that millions of tons of scrap materials are lying unused in garages and basements across the country that could potentially earn you some extra cash. However, taking your scrap to the scrapyard and selling it can be quite daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the preparation process or have never visited a scrapyard before.
But don’t worry; we’re here to help you navigate the process of turning your obsolete metals into cash.
To give you a comprehensive understanding of how it works, we’ll take you through our own experience of visiting a Detroit scrapyard and guide you on how to prepare and sell your scrap materials effectively.
Cashing out
Salvaging metals can be a profitable venture, but it requires a lot of effort and knowledge to succeed. There are many factors to consider regarding the profitability of metal scrap, such as the type of metal, its grade, the current market demand, and the quantity of material you have. Additionally, the process of dismantling and loading the material can also add to the cost and time it takes to sell the scrap.
To maximize your profits, it’s important to understand the value of each type of metal scrap and the best ways to extract and transport it. For example, copper and aluminum are more valuable than steel, so it’s worthwhile to invest the time and effort to extract them from electronic devices, appliances, and other sources.
Moreover, the going rate for metal scrap varies depending on the market conditions, so it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the current prices and negotiate with the scrap yard to get the best deal possible. Finally, it’s crucial to ensure that the scrap is free of contaminants and properly sorted before selling it to the yard.
In our quick guide to selling scrap, we focused on a tightly packed pallet of obsolete steel shelving that was easy to load onto our truck. However, these tips apply to all types of metal scrap, and by following them, you can turn your scrap into cash while minimizing your effort and maximizing your profits.
Choose your vehicle
When it comes to hauling scrap to the yard, you have various options. Even a bicycle can be used for smaller loads. However, for heavier loads that can bring you some serious cash, we suggest getting a good, sturdy pickup truck like the GMC Sierra Denali 2500HD.
This recommendation is based on the fact that an open pickup bed allows for easy unloading by crane, which can save you a lot of time and effort. On the other hand, if you decide to take your scrap in a closed vehicle like an SUV or hatchback, the unloading process will be on you, and it may not be as easy or fast.
Therefore, we advise you to consider the type of vehicle you use for hauling scrap and choose the one that suits your needs and budget.
Choose your scrap
Before embarking on your scrapping journey, it’s important to determine which items you plan to dispose of. For instance, on this particular trip, we will be loading steel shelves that are only compatible with an outdated store display system. Given their lack of utility, these shelves make an ideal candidate for scrapping.
It’s worth noting that, while steel is one of the most commonly found metals that can be scrapped, it’s also one of the least valuable. Nonetheless, it can still be a worthwhile endeavor to rid yourself of unwanted items and earn some extra cash in the process.
Lucrative alloys
The value of different types of metals varies widely. Alloys such as brass, for instance, can fetch a higher price, often ranging from $1 to $2 per pound. This is because brass has various desirable properties that make it useful in many applications. For example, brass is often used when low friction is important, such as in gears, locks, valves, and ammunition.
Additionally, brass is a popular choice for musical instruments due to its durability and ability to produce a bright, shiny sound when polished. So, if you have some brass lying around, it may be worth more than you think!
Coveted copper
Copper is a highly valued metal today due to its numerous applications in various industries. It is commonly used in electrical wiring, plumbing, architecture, etc. This versatile metal is also one of the most sought-after materials in metal recycling yards worldwide. It commands a high price on the market, fetching between $2 and $4 or more per pound, depending on its condition.
The high value of copper as scrap can be attributed to the energy-intensive process of processing raw copper ore into usable copper. On the other hand, recycling used copper is a lossless process, meaning that 100 percent of the material is recovered, and the process uses far less energy than raw ore.
You can sell any copper-containing product, including motors, wiring, and bare copper, to scrap yards. This includes old or broken appliances, electronics, and even car parts. Recycling copper is an eco-friendly way to dispose of unwanted copper products and can earn you extra cash.
Find a local scrapyard
If you have any material that you want to sell for scrap, it’s important to find the right buyer to get the best price. Firstly, you can search online for terms like “scrap yard” or “metals recycler” to locate potential buyers. However, before making any deals, it’s crucial to research and find out what materials each scrap yard specializes in buying. This can help you identify the right buyer for your material.
It’s also important to know what your material is made of. If you know the composition of the material, you can call around different scrap yards to compare buy rates and find the best price. Keep in mind that buy rates can vary significantly between scrapyards, so it’s worth taking the time to shop around. By doing your research and finding the right buyer, you can ensure that you get the best price for your scrap material.
Weigh your vehicle on the inbound scale
When you arrive at the scrap yard with your materials, you will need to pull your vehicle onto the designated inbound scale. This scale is used to determine the weight of your loaded vehicle. Once you are in position, an attendant will signal you to proceed. At this point, you should remain in your vehicle until the attendant has recorded your weight.
Scrap yards typically use a large, pressure-sensitive plate to weigh vehicles. This plate is highly accurate and can provide an exact measurement of your loaded weight. After the attendant has recorded your weight, you will be directed to unload your scrap material. Once you have unloaded, you will then need to drive back onto the scale to get weighed again.
The weight of your unloaded vehicle will then be recorded by the attendant. The difference between the loaded and unloaded weights is your scrap total. This information is used to calculate the amount of money that you will be paid for your scrap material. It is important to note that accurate weight measurements ensure you receive the correct payment for your materials.
Behold the mag crane
When you arrive at a scrap yard to sell your ferrous material, such as iron or steel, you can expect the yard to unload your vehicle using a mag crane. These cranes are essentially large excavators modified to wield a powerful electromagnet. The magnet is capable of lifting and carrying large amounts of ferrous material with ease. A skilled operator will use the crane to pluck the material from your vehicle and place it in their ferrous storage pile for later processing.
On the other hand, if you’re selling a nonferrous material, such as aluminum or copper, it won’t be affected by the magnet. Therefore, the yard will unload your truck using a forklift. This allows for safe and efficient unloading of the nonferrous material. Once the material has been unloaded, it will be sorted and processed accordingly.
Whether you’re selling ferrous or nonferrous material, scrap yards have specific methods to ensure the unloading process is done safely and efficiently.
The workhorse of the yard
In high-traffic scrapyards, skid steer loaders play a vital role in material handling operations. These versatile machines come equipped with various attachments, including the claw bucket, extended forks, high-power steel shears, and even an electromagnet.
The claw bucket, in particular, is an invaluable attachment that can easily pick up and move large amounts of scrap metal. The extended forks allow for the safe transport of heavy loads, while the high-power steel shears can quickly cut through large pieces of metal. The electromagnet is especially useful for picking up metal debris scattered across the ground.
The skid steer loader’s adaptability makes it an indispensable tool for any material-handling operation. It provides efficiency, safety, and improved productivity.
The last we’ll see of our scrap
After the loaders have carefully placed our shelves in the designated ferrous storage pile, they will wait to be processed for shipping and other similar materials. The yard will then begin transforming the shelves into a form that can be used to create new steel products. This can be done by either compacting the shelves into a standard bale or shredding the material into very fine pieces.
Once the metal has been processed, it will be transported to an off-site smelter, where it will be melted down in a blast furnace. From this point, our scrap metal will be transformed into various steel products. The possibilities are endless – the recycled metal could be used to manufacture anything from cars to household appliances, or even another store shelving unit.
This is all part of the recycling process, which is crucial for reducing waste and conserving resources. By recycling our metal shelves, we are helping to ensure that the materials are put to good use and do not end up in a landfill where they would take up valuable space and potentially harm the environment.
Weigh your vehicle on the outbound scale
When you arrive at the weighing station, follow the same procedure as you did for the inbound scale. Drive your vehicle onto the scale and come to a stop. Wait for the attendant to signal that it’s safe to proceed, then drive forward and park in the designated area. Inside the weighing station, the attendant will record your vehicle’s weight and provide you with a weight ticket.
This ticket will display your inbound (loaded) weight and your outbound (unloaded) weight. The difference between these two weights will determine the amount you’ll be paid.
It’s important to note that the weight ticket is a crucial document, and you should keep it safe until you’ve completed the delivery and received your payment.
You’re in the system
Recently, the high value of scrap metals, particularly copper, has led to a surge in thefts. In response, the federal government has initiated new security measures to curb the theft of scrap.
Under these measures, all individuals who sell scrap material are required to register themselves in a database. This database links a photo and description of the material with the seller’s personal information and thumbprint. By doing this, the authorities can easily track the material sold by a seller, and in case of any theft, they can quickly check the local scrapyards to see if the stolen material has been sold anywhere.
It’s essential to note that when you sell anything to the yard, you’re legally responsible for it. Therefore, it’s imperative to take all necessary precautions to avoid any legal repercussions.
Where to find scrap metal
When it comes to collecting scrap, there are numerous places and methods you can employ. You can start by looking in your own home or workplace, or even along the roadsides.
Additionally, you can ask your friends, family, and neighbors to provide you with any scrap they may have lying around. It is essential to understand that what may seem useless to you may be a treasure trove of scrap. For instance, a broken toaster you recently discarded in the trash can contain copper wiring and a steel body.
To give you an idea of the potential value of scrap items, here are some figures for common household appliances. A washing machine can fetch you anywhere between $18 to $22, with an average weight of 200 lbs. For a refrigerator with a top freezer, you can earn around $16 to $18, with an average weight of 175 lbs.
If you remove the compressor from the fridge, the average weight drops to 125 lbs. Ovens and ranges can be sold for $11 to $18, with an average weight of 125 lbs. Dryers, on the other hand, can bring in $8 to $10, with an average weight of 100 lbs. Lastly, if you have a cast iron bathtub, you can expect to earn between $30 to $40, with an average weight of over 300 lbs.
Getting paid
When it comes to receiving payment for the metal you scrap, there are a few things to keep in mind. The payment options available to you will largely depend on the rules and regulations of your state.
For ferrous metal, you can usually expect to receive payment in cash or a check. However, it’s important to note that scrap yards are not legally allowed to give you cash for your scrap metal. Instead, they will provide you with a check or a payment slip, which you can use to collect your payment from an onsite ATM.
The payment process for non-ferrous metal is a bit different. In most states, you can expect to receive payment in the form of a check, but there are additional regulations that come into play. Specifically, many states require that scrap yards hold onto payment for non-ferrous metal for a period of two business days before issuing a check. This is done in an effort to combat the theft of expensive metals, which has become a serious issue across the country.
So, before you head to the scrap yard to sell your metal, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the payment options available to you and any relevant regulations that may impact the payment process.
The bottom line
Selling scrap metal is a lucrative and environmentally friendly way to dispose of unused metal items. Recycling scrap metal helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and helps to conserve natural resources.
Additionally, selling scrap metal can be a profitable venture, as many recycling centers and scrap metal buyers will pay top dollar for certain types of metal.
By participating in the scrap metal market, you can contribute to the economy, reduce waste, and help preserve the environment for future generations.