cutting cost of scrap collection

Handle material as little as possible, don't unload and reload if its not worth it. Estimate your cost vs benefit before doing pickups and for curb shopping make sure you get there before your competition.

This used to work for me. My operation has changed since then, but here's what I did (Remember, I do E-Scrap):

There is a yard that pays shred price for printers, scanners,...

I set up my trips so that I would pick up the "junk" items on the way up, so I would have a really, really full load when I got there, and I would then pick up the nice stuff on the back.

I was getting paid for the junk, so that would pay for the trip. This saved a lot of money, compared to running a truck around to just pick up stuff, and then to pass the same spot again.

I use my phone and mark via gps where my scrap yards are. Referring back if i need to drop a load

Take a different route everyday, when you are going to work, the grocery store or gas station. If you have to drive anyway, you might as well cover new ground every trip. You never know what you'll find. Try it...