How to Find Scrap Metal

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Locating, collecting and selling scrap metal might be a hobby that yields a little extra spending money a full-blown business that provides full-time employment and a steady source of significant income. Whether you casually collect aluminum soft drink and beer cans from the side of the road or routinely execute a comprehensive search for all matter of scrap metal, knowledge of where to find it is critical to your success.

Instructions

1. Start in your own residence. If you replace appliances, sell the old appliances for scrap. Collect any "junk" metal that may be lying around in your garage or scattered throughout your property.

2. Collect aluminum cans. Cash them in when you make a scrap yard run.

3. Get relatives, friends, and neighbors involved. Let them know that you will haul off scrap for free. Ask them to save their aluminum cans for you.

4. Put fliers up in your neighborhood, on local bulletin boards, and in churches. Leave contact information and a list of items you seek, such as old appliances or automobile batteries.

5. Call businesses that deal with metal. Some businesses pay to have scrap metal removed. Offer to do this for free. Plumbers, auto mechanics, electricians and welders are good sources.

6. Post ads on Craigslist.org and check other users' posts. Check the "Free" section.

7. Check apartment complex trash dumpsters.

8. Monitor curbside trash pickup. Determine when bulk trash is picked up in your area. Drive around the night before and remove items that contain metal.

Tips & Warnings

• Sort the metals into individual piles of copper, iron, aluminum, sheet aluminum, stainless steel and brass. Separate insulated wires from uninsulated wires. You might receive a lower price if metals aren't sorted.

References

• craigslist
• Fairfax County Virginia: A-Z List of Recycling and Trash Topics
• Metalprices.com