How to Prepare Scrap for Collection
You do not need to do much. But a small amount of prep speeds up the collection and, for larger loads, can improve the price. Here is a no-nonsense guide.
Think about access first
Before you ring, walk the route a collection vehicle would take. Note:
- Width restrictions, low bridges, weight limits, or humpback bridges.
- Gateposts, overhanging branches, and tight turning circles.
- Surface, tarmac, gravel, grass, farm track, mud.
- Where we can safely park while loading.
Tell us on the call. We match the vehicle to the access, tilt-bed, HIAB, or short-wheelbase flatbed.
Sort the obvious metals
You do not need to strip or separate to a fine grade. But if you can do these three things, the process is smoother:
- Keep bright copper wire separate from braziery and cylinder copper if it is easy.
- Pull out obvious non-metal items, plastic handles on taps, wood attached to gates, rubble inside old radiators.
- Keep cat converters whole and with their flange attached where possible.
Safety
- Don't empty partial gas cylinders yourself, tell us on the call and we advise.
- Asbestos cement sheet (old corrugated barn roofing, pre-2000 garage panels) is not scrap, and it needs specialist disposal.
- Fridges and freezers with intact coolant circuits are WEEE-regulated. We can sometimes handle them, ring first.
- Old oil drums need to be empty; leave caps off.
Vehicles
For cars and vans:
- Have the V5C log book to hand, or know it is missing (we still collect, we just use a V62 route).
- Clear personal items from the vehicle.
Free vs paid
Smaller domestic loads are collected free. Larger loads are bought for a fair price, confirmed on the call. Either way, the process is the same, ring us, describe it, we book a slot and we handle the pay-out on collection.
Ready for collection? Call 07974 608 218 and we are usually with you the same or next day.