Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Mining scrap metal for sale
• Method 2 of 3: Determining the value of a metal
• Method 3 of 3: Selling metal to a dealer or recycling center
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

In recent years, scrap metal has become more valuable as China, India and other developing countries are willing to pay record prices for it. This article will tell you where to find scrap metal, buyers and how to get the best price for your metal.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Mining scrap metal for sale

1. 1 Find out where to find scrap metal.
   • Most of the items in your home that you thought were trash can be of value in the form of scrap metal. For example, old Christmas lights contain copper, and even old toasters have copper wires and a steel case.
   • Walk around the area and the city to find discarded metal objects on the roadside. Even metal items that look like trash can be of some value.
   • Collection of auto parts. Old car parts, particularly catalytic converters, can be quite expensive.
   • Do not throw away old plumbing and wiring after installing new ones. Instead of throwing away old copper pipes or copper wires, you can scrap them.
   • Go to a sale. You can find valuable metal items at auctions, sales or pawnshops.
2. 2 Get a car for transporting metal. The best options are a pickup truck or a car with a large trunk.Of course, you can transport metal in the back seat of a car, but this way you risk damaging the seat upholstery.
3. 3 Find out what kind of metal is in demand.
   • Steel is an alloy of iron and chromium that can often be found in kitchen utensils, hubcaps, and beer kegs.
   • Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper. This metal is found in decorative objects, musical instruments and some sanitary ware.
   • Copper is one of the most valuable metals. It can be found in plumbing and wiring.
   • Aluminum can be found in beverage cans, some cables, and cans.
   • Iron is one of the least profitable metals, but it also has a price. Look for iron in pipes, construction beams, and auto parts.

Method 2 of 3: Determining the value of a metal

1. 1 Find out about prices online. Many sites like Kitco have the latest market prices for a range of industrial metals.
2. 2 Call the scrap metal station. Different stations will offer different prices for this or that type of metal.
3. 3 Prepare for bidding.
   • Take the time to develop a business relationship with a scrap yard.
   • Save your receipts and note the total amount of metal brought to the station for the week, month and year.
   • Talk to the owner about raising the price. If you have been with the business for a long time and can offer it a steady supply of scrap metal, the owner may agree to pay you more.
4. 4 Wait for a large amount of scrap metal. Most stations pay a higher price for larger volumes.
5. 5 Don't forget about seasonality. In cold climates, scrap prices often rise in winter as metal mining becomes more difficult and fewer people will sell the metal.

Method 3 of 3: Selling metal to a dealer or recycling center

1. 1 Sort and clean your metal. You may be paid a higher price if the station doesn't have to put in the effort of sorting and cleaning your metal.
2. 2 Search the Internet using terms such as scrap yard or metal recycling station. Alternatively, you can also look for them in the telephone directory or in the directory of local businesses.
3. 3 Check the government's Energy Star website for locations that will pay you to recycle your old products.
4. 4 Upon arrival at the station, weigh your car on the scales.
5. 5 Let the station workers unload your car.
   • The station will use a magnetic crane to separate iron and other ferrous metals.
   • Other metal will be unloaded by a forklift.
6. 6 Get ready to register. Some stations will require you to be at least 16 years old and some kind of photo ID. At some stations you may be photographed. Your data will remain in place to prevent theft of metal on your part.
7. 7 Get paid for your metal. While it is technically not allowed for scrap metal stations to give you money for your metal, many will provide you with a receipt. After that, you can go to the nearest ATM and get the corresponding amount of money.

Tips

• When selling aluminum, make sure the pieces are smaller than the size of the refrigerator. The aluminum will be sent to the recycling plant, so cutting large pieces will become more costly for the station, and therefore less profitable for you.

Warnings

• Only obtain metal from suitable sources. In many cities, there are problems with improperly obtained and stolen scrap metal.

What do you need

• Scrap metal
• Auto for transportation of scrap metal to the station