A modern-day scrap yard is much more charming and interesting place than you may think. Scrap yards are the beginning links and processes for other recycling stages. They service everyone: from individuals to large and small businesses. A scrap yard may seem chaotic as it buzzes constantly with workers and forklifts but in reality it uses a systematic approach to get things done. Scrap yards around the United States rake in annual revenues of more than $80 billion.
Scrap yards exist because waste is produced by everyone and by all industries. There is waste that cannot be recycled such as food or pollution and hazardous materials but a large chunk of waste can be recycled. It is much better for the environment if paper is recycled than deforestation and so is melting soda cans to make aluminum than mining metal from ores and manufacturing the same amount using raw materials.
What is the purpose of a scrap yard?
Depending on the metal you sell, the scrap yard buys it for a competitive price by the pound or even tons. A trip to the scrap yard will generally have multiple types of metals to be sold either way.
The main reason why these places exist is to properly sort the metals and gather them together according to their types and then sell the heap to refineries for more profit. It’s good to know that refineries’ do not accept small amounts of scrap metal and will only associate themselves with reliable suppliers. The paradox here also is that you might be a customer to the scrap yard owners, but in reality, you are the supplier; their main customer is the refinery.
What is scrap metal?
The waste materials made of metal which are often discarded from construction, repairs or general disuse, is known as scrap metal. These metals can be aluminum, copper, zinc, and so on.
The scrap yard buys scrap metal out of common waste streams such as broken or unused appliances, cars and old insulated copper wires. Although these appliances are generally made of steel, they are broken down further to sort out other metals.
How to sell scrap metal?
Sort Your Metal.
All the metal you want to sell needs to be sort before you get to the scrap yard. You can sort them as you go, stock them into piles or different containers. If you don’t do the sorting correctly then it’s not like the staff at the scrap yard will help sort them out once you get there. You would simply earn much lesser for the unsorted pile than you would have otherwise.
Bring your ID.
You will need to carry an identity proof because at the scrap yard, they will need to track what you sell and also verify if you aren’t one of the ‘most wanted’ metal thieves list.
Check uploading practices.
If it is your first time at a scrap yard, you will need to check with the processes associated with unloading your metal because different scrap yards may follow different routines to do this.
Ask questions.
Although it will be wise to not seem totally helpless, but asking the wrong questions may do you more harm than good. Do some research on the scrap yard you’ve selected before you get there to ensure you get the most payout for your metal.
Get weighed.
It is likely that you will be carrying different types of metals on your trip to the scrap yard. Your metals will be weighed one by one and listed out based on category. The slip will then be handed to you, which needs to be taken to the cashier.
Get Paid.
If you are carrying an expensive metal, and more quantities of metal then invariably you would be paid really well!
How To Choose a Scrap Yard
- Build a list. Find reputable scrap yards in your area with a simple Google search. Don’t travel more than 40 minutes from your home or workplace.
- Call before your visit. It’ll give you a gist of what to expect as well as gather information such as directions, processes, and price per pound of the metal you are looking to scrap.
- Research. Never just go to a scrap yard. Update yourself on the current prices and what to expect prior to arriving to ensure you get the best price.
- Reevaluate annually. It’s great to have friendly faces at the scrap yard who can tip the scales for you sometimes. But since this is business, it’s wiser to reevaluate every year and go for the best-priced scrap yard.
