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Scrap Yards Near Me: 3 Tricks To Make Money Scrapping Metal

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Searching for Scrap Yards Near Me? Then you need to know the best things to scrap for money!

Can you make good money scrapping metal?

Yes, you can make really good money scrapping metal!

Have you ever heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another is another man’s treasure”?

I’m sure there have been different versions of that saying over the years. One thing is certain: no matter how you say it, there’s truth in it. 

I’m going to share with you just how true those words can be and explain how you can make good money scrapping metal!

 

Scrap Yard Near Me

 

I’m sure everyone has heard of recycling.

We know that recycling is good for the environment, reduces waste, helps to prevent pollution, helps the economy by providing jobs, and helps to conserve our natural (and yes, valuable) resources by utilizing materials that are right here in the good ol’ USA.

But did you know it can also line your pockets with a little extra spending money?

That’s right, money for scrap metal!

Hence the saying, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” Literally.

Money For Scrap Metal Near Me

If you’re like most people, then you probably have some type of scrap metal “junk” lying around the house, in your yard, or in an outbuilding.

Guess what, that old lawnmower that doesn’t work—recyclable!

That means if you find a scrap yard near you and you can scrap that lawnmower for cold hard cash!

Recycling common household items won’t make you rich but it can give you a little spending money AND unclutter your place!

Aluminum cans lying on the side of the road—recyclable! That’s right another easy way to get money for scrap metal!

You can clean up your neighborhood all while making money. Seems like a no-brainer.

Scrap Yard

Scrapping Yard Near Me – 3 Tricks To Know

There are three important steps to take before attempting to go to a scrap metal dealer. 

1. Do An Online Search Of “Scrap Yards Near Me”

Research recycle centers, scrap yards, junkyards, and salvage yards near you to find out prices and what items they do or do not accept.

2. Buy a magnet.

This may sound crazy, but using a magnet will help you determine the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, which can mean more money (I will explain that in further detail down below).

3. Organize!

I cannot stress enough that you need to organize your materials and separate them as well.

Scrap yards can be a busy place and if you aren’t organized, you’re going to be spending more time there than you care to.

Being organized will also enable you to make sure the pricing is correct before the final transaction takes place.

Scrap Metal Prices

Larger recycling companies usually have websites that list their scrap metal prices.

Prices can change daily on certain things like copper, for example, so most of them include a disclosure stating that prices are subject to change without notice.

If you only have a smaller “scrap yard” company near you, stop by or give them a call to obtain a price list.

This can also give you ideas as to what items they accept and if the price difference is worth it for you to “clean” it.

Scrapping Yard Near Me

Sell Scrap Metal

When going to a scrap yard, your first stop would be a set of scales that you drive across.

The clerk weighs your loaded vehicle and then you drive onto the scrap yard to be unloaded OR unload the items yourself.

Different places have different policies about this.

After offloading your items, you would drive back across a scale to get your empty weight.

This determines how many pounds they pay you for.

One of the most common items accepted by scrap yards is called “Shreddables” or “Shred” for short.

Shred is metal that is considered light iron—it will and should stick to a magnet. Shred is usually paid by the ton.

For example, if the price for shred is $178/ton and you took in 500 lb, you could expect to be paid $44.50.

Typically, these items are not “clean”, meaning they may not be strictly metal.

An example of this is a refrigerator. It could be considered a “Shred” even though it may have plastic on it.

Many choose this option instead of getting into a lot of labor cleaning up items.

One thing to make note of, however, the refrigerator that you might get $13 out of also has copper in the compressor if you wanted to put the work into it to take it out.

These are the little things that can add up, so keep it in mind.

Scrap Yard For Cars

If you’re considering scrapping a car, here are a few tips to think about.

Automobiles are usually paid by the 100 pounds.

In other words, if the scrap price for Autos is $3.00 per 100lb, and the auto weighs 5000 pounds, you can expect to be paid about $150.

Also, you have to make sure to empty the gas tank and drain the oil. In most cases, you must provide the title to the vehicle as well.

If scrap prices are up, this could be a full-time job as long as you had a way to haul the junk vehicles.

There are some people who like scrapping metal for a living.

If you only have a few things though, more than likely you would be pulling up to a building or shelter of some type and they would have a set of smaller scales there to weigh your items. 

It can still be worth the trip! Especially if you have something like copper wire.

Heads-up!!—if you take the insulation off of the copper, you get more money per pound.

There are some similar items that you should take in “clean”.

Another example is cast aluminum.

If it has any metal on it—screws, bolts, nuts, etc., you need to take those off. You can use your magnet to locate any metal on anything.

You will notice that the recycling place or scrap yard will also use a magnet to check for metal, especially on things such as copper.

If you don’t take these items in “clean”, you can expect to get less money per pound.

Running a magnet over your items beforehand ensures that you will get paid the higher price for your top-dollar scrap items.

This is also where being organized comes in handy.

Cash For Scrap Metal Near Me

There are a few different types of payment you can expect, depending on the company’s policies.

Some pay cash, up to a certain amount, some print checks and some will give you a receipt for your amount and you scan it at their on-site ATM to get your cash.

Any way you “shred” it (get it?), recycling your unwanted junk can be worth it if you’re looking for a little extra money.

More Ways To Make Extra Money:

50+ Creative Side Hustles To Make $100 A Day

How To Make 6 Figures Without A Degree

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