What is scrap metal recycling?
The process of extracting ferrous metals (iron, steel) and non-ferrous metals (aluminum, copper, brass) from waste streams for reprocessing rather than disposal in landfills.
Scrap metal recycling involves sorting and separating metal items from household or commercial waste to redirect them to recycling facilities rather than landfills. Junk removal and demolition services in Ontario often encounter metal-bearing materials during cleanouts and building teardowns, and pulling these items aside for a scrap yard instead of the waste stream is standard practice in the industry.
Metals fall into two main categories. Ferrous metals contain iron and include steel, appliances, and structural components from older homes. Non-ferrous metals lack iron and include aluminum windows and siding, copper wiring, brass fixtures, and stainless steel. Scrap yards pay different rates for each type because non-ferrous metals typically command higher market value and are easier to refine into new material.
Haulers separate scrap metal because landfilling it wastes a recyclable resource and reduces what goes into the waste stream. Scrap operations in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding regions accept bulk lots from contractors and junk removal businesses. The material then enters the secondary metals market, where mills and manufacturers process it into new products, from automotive parts to beverage cans. For service providers, routing metal to a scrap yard adds a revenue stream while reducing disposal fees. Find providers who handle metal recycling as part of their removal service.