Developing a Scrap Route?

Looking for advice on how to develop a scrap route in the Louisville Kentucky area....

I'm a newbie... I looked on the local government website, for information on Junk Set out days... The rules here is each household has two times a year to set out junk, roughly 6 months apart. It is broken down by geographic area within the city, for a different area each week for 6 months then it starts over. The website has a database in which you search for "your" street to find out the dates. It is pretty time consuming typing in streets until I happen upon this weeks area...

Long story short... Any ideas on how efficiently find the schedule, or how to develop a scrap route without that information...

I posted a similar question in another section, I suppose it was deleted for being in the wrong section...

My apologies...

Just get in your truck and drive....Check alleys, behind stores, etc.....Don't be afraid to fill the truck with gas and just go for it....Usually lower rent districts yield more scrap....When out looking for scrap you will find mostly tvs and other stuff that needs to be broke down but I take all of it and work on it later....It's like money in the bank

as stated in other posts, the comp is getting fierce, and probably will get much worse. I believe the professional approach is going to eventually out pace the cowboy approach.

set it up like a business make contacts with other business, make calls on them in person and on the phone. I think if you handle it in a business like manor you will stand less chance of having to compete with the first come first served guys. set up accounts, then service the accounts like a professional. I do this diligently and still lose half my product from established customers to the first come cowboys. I believe it is because we are talking junk to most people and it is easier for them to tell some one ok just take it then it is for them to explain why they cant take it, because they are waiting for you to pick it up. just my .02

If we knew a little bit about you, you'd probably get better/more advice on what you're looking for.

http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/showt...rs-Please-Read!

I actually found on line a map of local collection days. Actually found out that the areas closer to home were more productive. Funny thing is as I went further south I found lots of gated communities that I could not get into.

Out right luck has lined my pockets as well. Right time at the right place. Having the gift of gab (running your mouth) helps too.

Imyourgirl, for me luck is knowing what you are looking for and looking for it. I think you earned you good luck, Mike.

When driving threw other towns, keep an eye out garbage cans. Then you will know what days the garbage night is in other towns.

Since you are working in KY, you'll want to know about the new law coming down the pike here. The link belows contains a summary of the law and also a link for the whole text of HB 390 - can't find a direct link to the document.

Within sixty days of passage, you will have to be registered as a "secondary metal recycler" in Ky. If you have certain felony convictions, you cannot be registered. Payment by check is required for certain items considered to be high risk for having been stolen.

The law even specifically refers to people who go through garbage and ashes looking for metal or junk - it's possible they are trying to curb trash picking as well.

The senate still has to approve it but passage is expected.

http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/12rs/HB390.htm

In answer to your original question - I live in a small town so I just talked to one of the guys on the trash truck and he gave me the schedule and the breakdown of the different areas. He told me who throws out computers a lot etc.

I would just call the garage where they keep the trash trucks and ask. Or go over there with some donuts and tell them what you do. You might find a friendly clerk who likes Krispy Kremes who will give you the whole schedule.

But I'd have to say that with gas as expensive as it is you want to find a way to have people bring stuff to you or at least you go pick it up. I'm tired of putting money in the tank and having nothing at all to show for it. And that happens a lot -if you are not out there making several passes on trash night, the other scrappers are getting it ahead of you. At least around here.

Good luck.