Where To Find Scrap...

Hello fellow scrappers!

My name is Devin and I am a new scrapper I just started scrapping 4 Months ago and I am 14 years old, I have made close to 2 Thousand Dollars off of scrapping, but I am looking to find more scrap metal! My main suppliers are my family members and relatives but I think I have already cleared them out, I have also handed out 100 + Flyers in my neighborhood no reply :/ I just want some ideas on where to get scrap metal, or escrap which I also deal with. I've made flyers, buisness cards, have a website (recycometalrecycling.webs.com) and got a little buisness around my area, I have no competition because I live in a middle class neighborhood which has no scrappers besides me. I cannot drive so I have a very limited amount of options finding scrap metal. My buisness is called "Recyco Recycling" I may not be getting alot of buisness because people don't take it serious, or they just are to lazy to give me a call to pick up there scrap. But please help me! Im seeking a good solution to getting scrap metal because I have tried everything, and I am not nearly generating enough money as i used to be. Thank you for your help! -DevinTheScrapper

Hi Devin, my sons name is also Devin and he is 15. What he did was use money he saved helping me to buy a small gas powered scooter and a trailer. He canvasses our neighborhood every day after school. If it is Metal and fits in his trailer he grabs it. You are on the right track with flyers. It is still winter so a lot of people are not cleaning up yet. Keep your name and number out there and they will think of you when they start spring clean up. Also let any small businesses in your area know you are interested in handling their recycling. Good Luck in your ventures and don't give up, things will pick up for you.

You seem like an industrious young man. Keep after it, it looks like you've had a great start!


The suggestion above to hook up a trailer to a bike and go out cruising seems like the best idea. You need to learn when the neighborhoods around you put out their garbage and go check 'em out after dinner time.


The best advice I can offer is: keep your eyes open everywhere you go, and if you see an opportunity don't be afraid to ask about it.

Thank you for your idea's, I already have a metal wagon I converted into a trailer, But it is quite heavy to be pulling around, And I do go around on trash day and collect scrap metal and I will try searching more and what not!

Devin,
I love the work ethic. Congratulations. You have a bright future ahead of you. My suggestion would be to figure out what people in a middle class neighborhood would have to dispose of that has value to you but not to them that also is not very heavy. Currently, there are 500,000,000 cell phones sitting in drawers around the country. Every phone is worth at least $1. Many are worth more. Ink/toner cartridges pile up as well. They can have value. We are going to put a new link up in a few days that will let you get free shipping labels for your ink and toner.

Good luck.

This can be a hard business, it has it's ups and downs. Sometimes you will be very busy and others very slow. You are on the right track so don't give up things will open up for you sooner or later. Keep saving your money and when you get your drivers lisence you will be able to buy a truck and you'll already have your business going and you'll start making the real money. Good luck and happy srapping.

How about asking your neighborhood manager for help in introducing your business to the people? what you will collect, how to collect them, the price you can offer, etc..

well semi-free anyway..:P