How to Dispose of Scrap Metal
Scrap metal is the one category on this list that's actually worth real money — old appliances, pipe, wiring, siding, and structural steel all have genuine resale value at the right facility.
1. Sell It
Scrap metal dealers pay by weight and by metal type — copper wire and pipe are worth significantly more than steel or aluminum. Separating metal types before hauling it in, rather than mixing everything together, generally gets a better price.
2. Donate It
Metal isn't a typical donation item the way lumber or fixtures are, since scrap yards already offer a straightforward cash option that most people prefer over donating it.
3. Recycle It
If selling isn't practical for the quantity you have, metal recycling centers accept it either way — most scrap yards ARE the recycling center. Search Earth911 for a metal recycler near you →.
4. Dispose of It
For a demolition or renovation generating mixed metal debris alongside everything else — not worth separately hauling to a scrap yard in small quantities — a standard dumpster still accepts it as part of normal construction debris.
NorthPoint's Construction Debris page covers sizing and pricing specifics for this exact material.
5. What This Actually Costs
Because metal has real resale value, the actual cost consideration here often isn't disposal pricing at all — it's whether separating and hauling metal to a scrap yard yourself is worth more than the convenience of just including it with everything else in a dumpster.
Common Questions
Do I need to separate metal from other debris before it goes in the dumpster?
No — if you're not planning to sell it separately, mixed metal is accepted as part of standard construction debris without needing to be sorted out first.
Are old appliances handled the same way as other scrap metal?
Appliances carry their own consideration — items with refrigerant (refrigerators, air conditioners, some freezers) require certified recovery before recycling and typically carry an added fee. See our what can and can't go in a dumpster guide for the specific list.
Is there a weight concern with large metal items specifically?
Metal is dense, similar to concrete in that regard — a container with a lot of structural steel or heavy piping can hit its weight allowance well before it looks full.
What metal actually has real resale value versus not?
Copper wire and pipe are worth meaningfully more than steel or aluminum at most scrap yards — worth separating out specifically if you have a significant amount, even if the rest goes straight to disposal.
How much is scrap metal actually worth?
Prices fluctuate with commodity markets, but as a rough guide, copper is worth meaningfully more per pound than aluminum, which is worth more than steel. A local scrap yard can give you current rates for what you have.
Is it worth renting a separate container just for metal?
Usually not for typical homeowner projects — a standard mixed dumpster is more practical unless you're generating a genuinely large quantity of metal from a demolition or major renovation.
Do I need to remove refrigerant from appliances before scrapping them?
Yes — refrigerant-containing appliances need certified recovery before the metal can be scrapped or recycled, similar to the requirement for standard dumpster disposal.
Can I mix ferrous steel and non-ferrous metal like aluminum or copper together?
For dumpster disposal, yes. If you're selling to a scrap yard instead, separating ferrous from non-ferrous metal typically gets a better overall price, since they're weighed and paid out differently.
Related Disposal Guides
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