For dumpster, container, and large loads please call
.jpg "DrainCleaning")
Tariffs might seem like something only economists need to worry about, but if you work with metal, run a business, or want to bring in old appliances for cash, steel and aluminum tariffs can affect you directly. They ripple through the supply chain and influence everything from material costs to how much a scrap metal buyer is willing to pay. M&M Recycling is here to help. Shifts in international trade policies impact the local scrap yard and the people who rely on it. If you want to understand what these tariffs mean for your wallet, keep reading.
A tariff is a tax on imported goods. In this case, the U.S. government placed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum in an effort to boost domestic production. What’s less discussed is how these moves affect the scrap metal market and how quickly prices can change for buyers and sellers. Steel and aluminum are major players in the world of scrap metal recycling. When a tariff is placed on imported metal, it can drive up prices for new materials. That creates more demand for recycled materials. Tariffs can also lead to unpredictable shifts in global trade and cause prices to spike or plummet with little warning, which creates uncertainty for scrap yards, manufacturers, and anyone selling metal. If you're working with a scrap metal company to offload materials, it's important to understand that your payout might change depending on what’s happening in Washington or abroad. Tariffs can push prices higher in the short term, but they can also reduce volume if manufacturers scale back production in response to cost increases. Less production can mean fewer offcuts and industrial waste entering the recycling stream.
Some people assume that when metal prices go up, they’ll get more cash at the scrap yard. Sometimes that’s true. If tariffs drive up demand for recycled metal, buyers may be willing to pay more. But, tariffs also increase volatility. Volatility makes it harder for a scrap metal buyer to predict prices from one day to the next. Instead of locking in high rates, yards may lower their offers to protect against future drops. And if fewer imports are coming in, some manufacturers might slow down production or delay projects, which in turn slows the entire recycling pipeline. Individual sellers or small businesses might see wild fluctuations in what you’re offered for the same load of scrap. Timing becomes everything. If you bring in a truckload of steel on a high day, you’re in luck. Bring it in after a policy announcement or foreign trade response, and you might earn half as much. Aluminum is particularly sensitive. It’s lightweight, easy to recycle, and used across multiple industries. When tariffs affect aluminum imports, the impact is swift and noticeable across the board.
If you’re a contractor, builder, or machine shop owner, you already know that margins are tight. Tariffs on raw materials make your parts more expensive. When steel or aluminum prices rise, so do costs for rebar, framing, wiring, piping, and custom components. Even if you’re not importing directly, your suppliers probably are and those costs trickle down fast. Scrap metal recycling in Douglasville, GA helps you turn your offcuts, old equipment, and job site debris, into cash so you can recoup some of that extra cost. However, with tariffs creating uncertainty, it becomes harder to plan. Your scrap metal might be worth more one month and less the next, depending on how the market shifts. Unpredictability makes it difficult to rely on scrap income as part of your operating budget.
You can’t control international trade, but you can control your response. Start by working with a scrap metal buyer who knows the market. A good buyer can explain why the price is what it is. They keep you updated when things change and help you plan smarter drop-offs. Next, you’ll want to organize your materials. Separate steel from aluminum, strip wires when possible, and make sure your load is clean. Tariffs or no tariffs, well-sorted scrap gets a better rate. And when market prices are shifting fast, every extra dollar counts. Also, don’t wait too long. If you’re sitting on a pile of scrap hoping for the market to peak, you might end up losing money. It’s tempting to time the market, but tariff-related price surges can vanish overnight. A trade deal, a new import policy, or a global slowdown can swing the pendulum the other way. Selling consistently tends to bring better results than gambling on spikes.
If you're a business owner or need to sell leftover metal, you need a scrap yard that does more than weigh and pay. M&M Recycling stays on top of policy changes so you don’t have to. Our team will work closely with local businesses and individuals to stay responsive by tracking fluctuations and offering real-time pricing. Call today or stop by with your load and we’ll provide fair prices and helpful services no matter what’s going on in the world around us.
