Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I have a bunch of misc junk parts and pieces from trucks and cars I want to get rid of. Used to be no problem. Take it to any one of the many scrap places and you're done. Not anymore. Now you need to have paper work for every little piece you can still see came from a vehicle. I called a bunch of places, nope sorry. Finally got ahold of one, told em my dilemma. No problem bring it on by. Loaded it up got to the place ... Oh, sorry, we misunderstood, no we cant take that unless you have all the proper paperwork from each vehicle the parts came off of.

Is this the same all over the country?

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Definitely not like that here. The only thing they won’t take is complete vehicles with out a title, or car tubs and truck cabs without a title. They will take them if you cut them into pieces though.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

It is not like that here. (yet).
Not for parts.

If you take a somewhat complete vehicle,

If the person has a title in hand they can get their money that day.

If you do not there is a waiting period.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

The only part you have to have documented here is a catalytic converter, if it's separate from the car.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

we have to pay to get rid of scrap metal, so much for re-cycling. Find this stuff behind stores and in small creeks, any place someone can,t see you in town dumping it

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

That's nuts... scrap metal has value.

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I put mine on the side of the road. A scrapper usually picks it up before the monthly bulk pickup guys get to it.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

We have no issues here..the only thing they do with a whole vehicle is run the vin, if it clears, then your good to go..all other scrap is no issue

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Separate the firewall from the carcass, drag it in.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I wish you could send scraps to me because I'd like to learn welding on body panels, so I can do patch panels. I haven't done welding before, but I'm going to learn. Perhaps there's a member in the Houston or San Antonio area with scraps I could use for that.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

We generate a lot of scrap metal and sell tons a month. They have to have a copy of our drivers license on file.

Somebody in the mechanic shop takes it, and we don't have a lot of vehicle parts, but I haven't heard of any problems.

WE had a bunch of roll copper stolen a couple of years ago. If they were smart, they sold that to a plumber. Did I say smart?

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I haven't scrapped a car but I have seen them dumped on the side of the road, so I assume it's the same here. No paperwork and the car isn't worth anything.

The local recycling place wont even take crushed aluminum cans now. So now I just throw them in the trash. I don't want a bunch bags of cans trashing up the place.

I'd use a recycling bin but my local trash company doesn't provide them. So everything gets thrown out.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

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The place I go to puts that kind of stuff in the shredder immediately. It's shredded and bailed within minutes. They are out in the country so are kind of isolated.

LockDoc

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Send me your cans. I get $2.25 per lb. for them. Been going to the same recycling center for years now, zero issues ever.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I keep all the aluminum and some day will get a forge and melt it down into some sizeable ingots for fun. Any other small scrap goes in my recycle trash can, wheel bearings, wheel cylinders etc (gotta keep the can somewhat light) Larger items I take to the local 'recycle center' they accept cardboard, yard waste and have a separate roll off dumpster that takes alternative recycle stuff like tin cans, glass etc...anything recyclable. I've gotten rid of a ton (literally) of stuff this way. Left over starters, a complete junk generator, fuel tanks differential housings stripped down (after I clean the oil out of them), brake drums.. anything I can throw over the top and into, ..you name it. I also hang on to decent sized copper stuff also to do a melt on in the future.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

What kind of paperwork would there be? That's ridiculous as all get out. I guess they want to see things go back to junk thrown in to the creeks and along the side of seldom traveled roads. The only paperwork we need is a title for a car, or any piece of a car bigger than 3' x 3'. So if you cut a car up to scrap you have a lot of work to do. We are required to show ID and they keep that on file.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Heck, the place I deal with will take complete vehicles without title

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

It's the wild west out here in MO. You can scrap a car over 10 years old without a title, no laws on catalytic converters (about to change that). You have to check in with ID and sign a log that's about it. I have a guy who hauls off scrap for my shop about every 6-8 weeks, I split the take with him 60/40 his way. I found that scrappers do way better at the yard than I do. I was constantly being screwed over at the yard because I'm not a "pro".

I can't imagine having to have paperwork on what's in that bin, 100's of rotors, struts, you name it. Keep that mess in Washington please!

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Move to a non communist state

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

As the other Larry said there’s no problem scrapping typically but I’ve not taken anything to the scrap yard in years. Reason being, the last time I did I was in real fear of ruining a $200 tire to get my $15. So, I found a local couple that are scrappers and just text them when I’m gonna have over 100 lbs. Put it on my trailer at the end of my drive and they come pick it up. They are happy to take it and I’m happy to not have to mess with it any further.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I never had a problem when I was in So. Cal either. It must be a regional thing. There's only one place up here and they're picky. I guess they can afford to be because there's always a line to get in.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Here in CO we have a recycle center that we can just take scrap metal. It is amazing the stuff people toss out. I have found a newish small floor jack and a cool metal tool box. The sign says you can not take anything from scrap pile but I figure I am just recycling this stuff lol. I have not sold any scrap to local junkyards but I do a lot of picking at junkyards as well.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I can take anything metal that's not part of a vehicle with zero problems. If its a car or parts of a car I need to show proof of ownership, meaning its mine and I can scrap it if I want to.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

How do you prove an old part is yours? What paperwork?? I have a stash of good parts I will never scrap, maybe sell for further use if I end up not using. None of it is stolen. But I have no way of proving that. I have no paperwork. You don't need to show paperwork to sell car parts on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, Ebay... At the county landfill you can dump scrap anything recyclable. You don't get paid for it but you can sure dump it w/o proof of ownership.

Just a note here for those who don't get it. There are no communist states in The United States of America and if you say there are you don't know much about America.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Hey CG, I'm relatively local to you and have a few ideas, but I'll admit that I've never encountered anything like you're describing. Some of this won't help if you're looking to get money for the scrap, but if you're just trying to get rid of it, a couple of the transfer stations near me have metal recycle areas where you can separate it from what you're throwing out and just toss it on the pile (so you do end up paying to dispose of it, which is lame). As far as the scrappers, if you have titles to any trucks (or copies of old ones), I would make copies of those and bring them in with the parts and say it's off of these trucks and let them decide if they want to try to match the part to the vehicle listed. I have a mechanic that does the stuff that I can't, don't know how, or don't want to do. They have a recycle bin that I pull parts from every once in awhile and they don't care. I also don't think they would care if I brought my parts and added to their recycle money when the scrapper comes. And finally, if you want to PM me what you're getting rid of, I might take a drive out to Monroe, haha. Good luck man, and let me know if I can help.

PS, special-K thank you for addressing the comment that tries to judge states based on the legislative content. The way I see it, what we have in common as truck guys is much more important than what city or state we live in. Why not be glad that there are truck gals/guys who live in every state?

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

You got my vote;) :flagw:

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Our county transfer station has separate containers for different types of recycle. I used to be able to toss ANY metal in the metal only container. No more. They look through the truck to make sure you aren't tossing anything in a container that doesnt belong in that specific container.

My buddy just had a large container dropped off at his place. Doing lots of clean up ... Specifically told him no car parts allowed.

As far as getting money for scrap I only bothered a couple of times back when you could do this. Barely paid for my gas to get to the recycle place.

The Washington State Patrol monitors the recycle places. If they have parts of a car without the correct paper work there is a hefty fine.

Now for all I know there is a place or a person that will take this JUNK (lol, no good stuff), I just havent found it yet.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

It's probably a new Washington law to make chop shops more inconvenient to operate. I suggest cut it into various circles and strips, hammer it, and weld it together to make art, and paint it, and sell it in consignment shops. Or sell the circles and strips as art making supplies.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Interesting read here. I don't have big parts or car hulks, but do take all metals to recyclers, there are two as of today. Never get enough for a tank of gas, but I'm saving the planet (from something LOL). I looked at where everyone lives, so that says something. Can understand the paperwork for cat burglars, but everything?

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

We think it's barely worth hauling our discarded parts to the scrapyard for the money it brings. Just think how unprofitable it would be to go about driving around stealing parts off of vehicles, risking being caught, and hauling them in to scrap.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Mine was picked up by the local scrapper today. A variety of bed frames, auto parts, broken hand tools, and even a 2” plug valve I tore down for a customer to do a post mortem on. All I did was throw it on my small trailer, haul it down to the mailbox, and send them a text message. Perfect in my eyes.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Made a small haul to the recycling center today. 2 baskets of plastic bottles and one with a small amount of aluminum cans. $42, way more profitable (and transportable) than steel. It’s always crowded but they have a good system and the line goes fast. They take scrap steel, copper, glass, etc as well.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

yes they are getting stricter on this here too, i had to take a (smashed, obviously replaced) fender with a VIN out of my last load, then bring it back cut in half and the VIN portion removed. silly to me, silly to you, but a lot of places get burned by stolen cars. the guy said sometimes inspectors will hide around the corner and wait for a car to come in and check the paperwork. he thought that sometimes the inspectors SENT the cars in but that seems a bridge too far to me.

now i usually just cut it up in 2x2 chunks and make sure to cut or scrape any identifying marks off. costs a bit more in blades but better than needing to turn over titles for parts.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Here you can't get rid of a car/truck without it being in your name. If it's not in your name you have to get a junk certificate for it. They don't require a certificate or any other paperwork for cats/dpf's/ or normal scrap. I've hauled in 3 big loads this summer trying to get rid of all the junk while prices are good. Brass radiators are really good right now. Aluminum is way down which is surprising. There is a huge aluminum can shortage currently so you'd think aluminum would be high or rising. We shall see.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I've been holding on to a bunch of brass turnings and scrap plates
the price finally went up enough to justify hauling it off....:metal:
I see more truck parts in my immediate future.....
Attachment 2149625

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Fringe benefit :cool:.

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Wow:c2:

So do you have a Machine Shop?

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Seriously! Or are you cutting up statues?

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

I hauled off a trailer load of stainless tubing a couple months ago..got .80lb..should have waited cause it's up now, but I wanted it outta my way..
Then hauled off a trailer of scrap metal odds and ends.. it was bringing 8.00 a hundred then.same thing, it went up..2 weeks ago it got as high as13.50 a hundred..
I hauled off my old s10 blazer today..its dropped..of course.. 10.00 hundred today..
I called one place ..they read me a long list of rules..
Title, drivers license, piece of mail with your name and address , , they take your picture and thumb print......dang..
Called another place down the road...he laffed and said rules,what rules..just bring it on..
I've got several thousand lbs of brass...I'm thinking it needs gone to

Re: Getting rid of scrap metal
 

Yes sir…a small family business since 1988….
we do high precision CNC machining….
mostly for industrial customers, along with some sub contracting of research projects for a local national laboratory.
obviously we machine a lot of brass….!