Scrap Metal Recycling

Scrap metal is any product that is no longer needed that’s made of or contains any type of metal. This includes broken items, worn-out products, or discarded metal. Generally, scrap metal refers to big, bulky, and high volumes of metal waste such as large appliances, vehicles, hardware, construction materials, and furniture (as opposed to packaging like drink cans).

Scrap metal is either ferrous (contains steel and iron) or non-ferrous (made from or containing non-iron metals such as aluminium, copper, and brass). All kinds of scrap metal are recyclable and can be stored together. These are some common examples of scrap metal:

• Car parts (bodywork, engine parts, wheels)
• Bike frames
• Furniture (tables, chairs, shelves)
• Cables and wires
• Appliances (fridges, ovens, washing machines)
• Construction materials (metal beams and pipes)

The scrap metal recycling industry is regulated in the UK to reduce theft. Mobile collectors or large businesses must have a scrap metal dealer licence from the council if they buy, sell, or store scrap metal. They must also have a waste carrier’s licence to collect and transport metal scrap for recycling.

Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, it’s an offence for a scrap metal dealer to buy scrap metal for cash. Payment must be made via a non-transferable cheque or an electronic transfer of funds. This links the payment to an identifiable account for both the payee and the payer.

You must use a licensed and reputable scrap metal recycling company to remove and recycle such waste from your business. Always check they have the appropriate licenses and comply with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 when collecting scrap metal recycling for trade.

There are various methods of industrial scrap metal recycling, which may depend on the specific items and materials:

• Shearing – large metal items may be cut and sheared before processing.
• Baling – some metal scrap can be compacted in a baler to reduce its volume before recycling.
• Shredding – lots of scrap metal is shredded and then taken for recycling (often being melted down and reformed).
• Granulation – cables are normally recycled via granulation where they’re stripped and the plastic casing removed, and the wires turned into small granules of metals.

Organise regular and reliable metal scrap collection from your business anywhere in the UK. Save money with free bins for any type and amount of scrap metal you produce with no hire or delivery costs – just pay for collection. Everything from wheelie bins to front end loaders, balers, and roll on roll offs are available.

Choose a suitable type, size, and number of bins to use and combine with a daily, weekly, or fortnightly removal frequency. This enables your company to arrange cost-effective and efficient metal scrap collection. There’s no paying for unnecessary collections or risking overflowing bins with a suitable removal service.