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Pulling up to a scrap yard for the first time can feel a little intimidating if you don't know how the process works. At M&M Recycling, we get first-time visitors all the time, from people clearing out a garage to contractors with leftover materials. The process is simpler than most expect, but knowing what to bring, what we accept, and how the weighing and payment system works makes everything simpler. We want you to leave with cash in your pocket and a clear understanding of how to do this again whenever you've got more material to bring in. Keep reading to find out what metals are worth your time and how to prepare so your first visit isn't your most confusing one.
Metals fall into two main categories. Ferrous metals contain iron. Steel beams, car frames, old appliances, lawn equipment, and cast-iron pipes all fall into this group. A magnet will stick to ferrous metal, so identification takes two seconds in your garage. Nonferrous metals don't contain iron and include copper, aluminum, brass, bronze, lead, and stainless steel. These command higher prices per pound because manufacturers prize them for conductivity, corrosion resistance, and specialized industrial applications. Copper tops the list for value, followed by brass and aluminum. At M&M Recycling, we accept both categories along with specialty items like electric motors, alternators, car batteries, radiators, and catalytic converters. We don't accept sealed containers, pressurized tanks, gas tanks that haven't been properly cut and vented, or materials contaminated with refrigerants, motor oil, or heavy paint. A reputable scrap metal company will maintain a list of restricted items because of environmental regulations and worker safety requirements. Call ahead if you're unsure about something specific. A quick phone call saves you the trouble of loading material we can't take.
Sorting isn't required, but it does affect your payout. When you bring in a mixed load of metals, we separate and weigh each type before calculating your total. If you've already sorted copper from aluminum and steel from brass, we move through the transaction faster. You also see exactly what each material earns. Copper wire pays more than steel by the pound. If the wire gets buried in a pile of old appliances, you might not notice what you've got. You might not think to ask about separating it out for a better rate. Scrap metal recycling in Smyrna, GA works best when you understand what you're bringing in. Spend fifteen minutes at home with a magnet and a few buckets. Separate your ferrous metals from your nonferrous, and keep the high-value items like copper pipe and brass fittings in their own container. A rough sort puts more money in your pocket and cuts down the time you spend standing around at the scale.
People forget their ID all the time, and it's the number one thing that sends them home empty-handed. Georgia law says we have to verify who you are and log every transaction. So bring your driver's license or state ID on every single visit. Without proper identification, we can't complete the sale, and you'll need to come back another day with everything still in your truck. Another error involves contaminated materials. Old refrigerators and window units with Freon still inside, propane tanks that haven't been properly emptied and certified, and items coated in oil or heavy paint create problems. We can't accept them until they're cleaned or have documentation proving safe disposal of hazardous components. Some people also misunderstand how pricing works in this industry. Scrap prices fluctuate based on global market demand, supply chain conditions, and manufacturing output. The rate posted online today might be different from tomorrow's rate, and prices can change within a single week. Check current prices before you load up, especially for larger hauls where timing affects your total payout. And, don't assume everything that's metal has substantial value. Light-gauge steel and mixed scrap in small quantities sometimes barely cover your gas money. A quick call to your scrap metal buyer gives you realistic expectations before you make the trip. The right information helps you decide if waiting until you've accumulated more material makes better financial sense.
Weight determines value in scrap metal recycling more than anything else. A single aluminum can weighs almost nothing, but fifty pounds of aluminum siding adds up fast. Copper pays the highest rates among common household metals, and a single stripped air conditioning unit can yield several pounds of copper tubing and wire. That's enough to make the trip worthwhile on its own. Brass fixtures from an old bathroom renovation, stainless steel sinks from a kitchen remodel, and aluminum gutters from a roofing job also fetch reasonable prices. Steel and iron pay less per pound but accumulate quickly during demolition projects or major cleanouts. A single car frame or large appliance can weigh hundreds of pounds. Before you drive across town, estimate your total weight and check current prices on our website, or give us a call. Most visitors to our scrap yard find that copper, brass, and aluminum make the trip worthwhile, even in quantities of around twenty or thirty pounds. Large steel loads need more volume to justify the haul, but contractors and renovation crews hit that threshold pretty quickly when tearing out old materials or clearing a job site.
Load up your truck and bring your metals to M&M Recycling. We weigh your materials on certified scales, pay competitive rates based on current market values, and answer every question you have about how a scrap metal company operates. Our team makes it simple to turn unwanted metal into cash, and we look forward to seeing you.
