wanting to start a scrap and recycle collection

would like to find a partner in Michigan, i live by Saginaw, to start a scrap and recycle collection and drop off service.

okay thanks

Around here we call partners "future enemies".

Unless that partner's your wife(yes I scrap with the wife, it keeps us both out of trouble)

thats a good point auburn.

Originally Posted by AuburnEwaste

Around here we call partners "future enemies".

Every time I've gone to work with someone, it always ends up with us splitting, and taking business from them. Whether it's greed, pride, or whatever, partnerships have never worked for me. I end up being my own supplier, and doing everything in house.

This isn't always possible, but I have a saying:

"There are two things you never want to do in business. Borrow somebody's money, or borrow somebody's truck. If you can avoid doing those two things, you'll probably do fine."

I have thoughts on this idea, but I'll put those in a separate post. This is my soapbox post.

matador: "I have to give another quote‽ I'm just going to leave you with an interrobang. It sounds dirty, but it's not."

Alright, my thoughts:

1. A "recycle collection and drop off service". You've just defined almost all recycling programs. Every town has drop off service for some things.

2. Why do you need a partner for this? It sounds like you just need a building and a truck. A Chevrolet Cheyenne is a lot cheaper than a business partner.

3. How much do you think you'll need financially? To me, it sounds like an awfully cheap business idea.

4. Advertising. How will you get people to come to you?

5. Why should they use you? What are you offering that's special, or different?

6. What are you scrapping? This may answer questions #2,3,4,and 5.

7. how much money do you think there is to be made from it?

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Investing in business has to be cheap. For example, I run laptops I sell to the Post Office in my truck. I looked into getting a second station wagon I could use to do that. I found a Saturn for $4000. I computed the costs out- I'd need to drive it for 17 years to break even with my truck. Imagine splitting a larger investment out. There just isn't a way to profit without being cheap.

We'll need to know what you're looking to do. If you're just doing metal, I'd buy a longbed Chevy, slap some signs on the side, and take out a newspaper ad. You won't have a lot to lose!

i scrap ferious and non ferious metal and escrap. but would also like to start doing plastic/vinyl, glass, cardboard, paper. i have a ford ranger, not that big but gets the job done and fuel efficiant, its been going strong for 3 years. also i dont have much of a building. i have a 18x16 shed(polebarn style) but wouldnt be nearly big enough. also most of my scrap comes from curbco and work(building/remodeling)

also havent been makin trips to the yard and my buckets are quite full, just makes me think bigger buckets; bigger business!

If you're looking for people to drop paper/cardboard off, you need a bin somewhere.

And maybe a larger truck in the future.

I'd go it alone, though. Partnerships never work quite like you want them to!

matador: "Happy Thanksgiving!"

I must be the only one on here who isn't anti-partner. lol.



Sirscrapalot - Many imitate ,but none can replace the original.

If you do not have a way to bale cardboard, and store the bales until you have 20-30, and buyer that is really close, don't bother unless you are getting paid to take it.