You too can break into the scrap metal business on a shoestring and turn someone else’s junk into gold. Start out by becoming a “local junk dealer.” All you actually need to get started is a couple of empty boxes and either a pickup truck or a station wagon with a trailer.
Tools should be on your list as an investment, you will need your basic tools to start-up….. Screwdrivers, hammers, drills, tin cutters and some small power tools
Any metal that you’d find is worth money these days. Check with local machine shops, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and building contractors. And be sure and check in the neighborhood trash containers and service stations.
It’s a good idea to contract with these sources to remove their metal on a regular basis – most of them will just give it to you, it saves them hauling it away. Sort out the metal according to type – copper $2.55 per pound, steel and iron is about $7.00 a hundred pounds, tin $5.00, brass about $1.90 a pound, aluminum about $.90 per pound, etc.
Separated, its worth more. The more you do to separate these metals, the more respect you will earn with your metal processor. Your next step is to search the yellow pages or online city guide for scrap metal processors – they are anxious to purchase all the scrap that you can provide at the going rates. Check your daily newspapers to keep in touch with metal prices, online search engines, Also subscribe to the “AMERICAN METAL MARKET”, “IRON AGE”, AND “FIBER MARKET NEWS”.
Put up signs in Laundromats and bulletin boards all over town. Distribute flyers house-to-house. Place ads in your favorite print newspaper classifieds, online classifieds, Business Directories. Let people know that you are in business of “recycling” scrap metals – most folks will give you what they have free. You can even establish your own “recycling center,” providing separate bins for each metal.
People are super ecology-minded these days and will gladly bring it to you. Newspapers, cardboard and old telephone books bring you a lot of cash too. Contact businesses and pick up their paper on a regular basis. Hundred of fortunes have been build in exactly this way – simple, low-investment beginnings.
Perhaps 9 out of 10 giants of the industry started in exactly this way, and so can you. After you’ve gotten your feet wet, jump into the big time, the “junk automobile” business. This is the best source of scrap metals. It requires a pretty good investment for equipment, such as tow truck, mobile crusher, and a yard to store cars to do the crushing.
To begin, rent the yard, purchase a used tow truck and crusher, and contact your County Clerk for insurance and licensing requirements. Tow in wrecked and abandoned cars, buy old cars for say $45 each and strip them for usable parts – then crush them for scrap. Body shops, garages, and service stations are prime markets for used and reconditioned parts of all types. You still sell the scrap metal to processors or even brokers. Places to sell your scrape metals:
American Metal & Parts Co. 2212 E US 70 Hwy Garner NC 27529, (919)772-6527
TT&E IRON & METAL INC, 1529 W Garner Road. Garner NC 27529,(919)772-9190
Garner NC Online Free Business Directory & Classifieds Ads
Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.