College Grad turned recycler

Hi, guys. I have 7 years at a full-time job and work incredibly hard. I am a kitchen supervisor. The higher ups just recently told me that my hourly position has capped out and there is really no room for a raise.

I have been scrapping only what I could get for free for the last two years, part time. I took my time breaking down all types of electronics and really didn't have much luck. I also learned that TV's are not worth it.

I have found that auto parts like rotors and aluminum rims seem to be nice compact items that fit well into the back of my truck. Good weight for a small size. I drive a Ford ranger with a 6 x 4 ft. bed.

buying scrap from the local garages seems to be competitive. I am looking into other ways for obtaining metals. I put up a couple offers on craigslist to buy scrap from people and even do pickups. This way I hope to get more calls since craigslist is so competitive for free scrap removal.



I don't know that these are the most efficient ways to obtain metals but I have just recently gotten into actually "buying" scrap. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey Gibby Welcome to SMF, and good luck!

wow, thanks. that is interesting. So you are shipping it over to Ewasted and not actually worrying about a traditional scrapyard? Then is it mostly craigslist for obtaining it? Thanks so much in advance.

Ok, wow. I cant thank you enough. Sounds like I have a lot of learning about the insides of a computer to do. I see that he sorts all of the boards. Are these boards mostly from computers or can they be from just anything?

I just realized that ewasted is less than an hour away. I owe it to you, mikeinreco! Thanks so much. I am excited that this may have opened another avenue of recycling. I really appreciate it and hope you don't mind me asking one last thing.

It has probably already been answered.

I really don't know much about computers at all. I know they all vary in value with different types of components but what is a good rule of thumb to pay for a computer?

I will also look into buying caches of e-waste at other yards and scrappers

I really did not even know about e-waste until I came to this site. Until now I have only been interested in heavier scrap and auto parts. I am looking forward to learning how far down to tear apart a computer and hopefully learning where to acquire more computers. Thanks Mikeinreco and Mechanic!

Yea I know of multiple computer shops and intend to visit them soon. Thanks for the point in the right direction.

I had a good craigslist day today, it was a lot of appliances and steel but met an apartment building maintenance director and an auto shop manager. I bought rotors and radiators. He threw some wheel hubs in for free.

auto garage scrap seems to have it's own currency, there are so many people buying scrap from garages around meThen I got 2 fridges, an electric stove and a/c unit.

these were only big things, but I am happy because they can both be continuous sources of scrap. Hopefully I find some computers....