Tips for Scrap Metal

1) If its made of metal, contains some metal, plugs in or runs on a battery you should be able to scrap it. For "free" take it!
2) If the item can be resold, reused or repurposed you should make more than scrap value for it.
3) Know your local laws about scrap collecting, processing and storage.
4) Safety first. Scrap can be dangerous to yourself and others. Tie down loads and use proper personal protection when breaking down items.
5) Break down items to make more money and see what things are made of. After doing an item decide if in the future it is worth it to break down. Some times it may be better to sell a "dirty" item as is and move on.
6) Don't try and screw over a yard! Filling up a item with rocks only passes the problem on up the line, and can or could lead to lower prices or other buyer specifics on those items.
7) Ask questions and speak up if you feel your yard is screwing you over on prices or grade of material. You can always take your stuff and leave. After all every scrap yard needs metal to survive!
8) Call for prices before you go.
9) Read all the great information here on SMF! And if and when you are able become a paid member.
10) Support our buyers here on this site when you can if prices work out for you!

I could have made a video! LOL

I like videos. I think you should make one.

10 great points but I think more emphasis should be put on #9.

in the first post mention the batteries


at work I have a full bucket, but they are rust because of rain because of being out


Do I take them?

Originally Posted by usopen2003

in the first post mention the batteries


at work I have a full bucket, but they are rust because of rain because of being out


Do I take them?

What kind of batteries do you have?

aa battery

I do not know of any place that will buy used batteries. I doubt a yard would take a 55 gallon drum full of batteries, but I am sure there is a natural mix of batteries in shred from toys and electronics and cordless tools and items. If it were me, I would either add them a little at a time to shred loads (if confronted, I could defend the decision by pointing out they had steel ends) or throw them into the trash. In the future, let them migrate naturally through shred loads and don't let them accumulate.

Originally Posted by t00nces2

I do not know of any place that will buy used batteries. I doubt a yard would take a 55 gallon drum full of batteries, but I am sure there is a natural mix of batteries in shred from toys and electronics and cordless tools and items. If it were me, I would either add them a little at a time to shred loads (if confronted, I could defend the decision by pointing out they had steel ends) or throw them into the trash. In the future, let them migrate naturally through shred loads and don't let them accumulate.

Alkaline batteries can go in the trash around here so I mix them in with my shred as stated above. If you live in California no way, they think they are hazardous waste! If you did take in a bucket they may want certain batteries removed as they do pose some hazards, Ni Mh, Ni Cad, Lithium Ion to name a few. Also don't figure every button battery is hazardous they are not all lithium some are alkaline! I can dispose of the hazardous ones at Lowes or Home Depot or once a month at our Household Hazardous Waste Drop off Site.

Just yesterday I got 18 cents a pound for my lead acid batteries. That's better than the 10 cents my other yard gives me. But yeah I recycle all my batteries as non of them contain alkaline.

Originally Posted by t00nces2

I do not know of any place that will buy used batteries. I doubt a yard would take a 55 gallon drum full of batteries, but I am sure there is a natural mix of batteries in shred from toys and electronics and cordless tools and items. If it were me, I would either add them a little at a time to shred loads (if confronted, I could defend the decision by pointing out they had steel ends) or throw them into the trash. In the future, let them migrate naturally through shred loads and don't let them accumulate.

There is local buyer here in Las Vegas for any and all kinds of batteries. Don't know what their pricing is like yet as haven't accumulated enough CMOS or AA batteries to be worth calling about yet.

Originally Posted by JJinLV

There is local buyer here in Las Vegas for any and all kinds of batteries. Don't know what their pricing is like yet as haven't accumulated enough CMOS or AA batteries to be worth calling about yet.

It sure seems like las Vegas is a scrappers paradise. I'll see you all soon got to pack up and make a quick move to the land of sin.

For e-waste there's not a lot of local competition (also no focal places to sell so it's gotta all be shipped) so that is a plus. So is the culture of disposability here (although it's generally bad!). In addition to lack of local ewaste sales opportunities, another downside is that all other scrap prices are relatively low. Iron between .025-.035/lb. Extruded AL as much as .20/lb less than the east coast and midwest, insulated wire i'd get $1.35/lb elsewhere goes for .50/lb here and so on.

How much does extruded go for there? Here in Denver I just got a few weeks ago 55 cents a pound but I had 220 pounds of it so that might have helped