What Is Considered Scrap Metal, And Where To Take It

Ever wonder what is considered scrap metal and where to take it? Whether you’re cleaning out the garage, replacing fixtures, or just looking to declutter, knowing exactly what qualifies and where to bring it can save you time and earn you extra cash. Luckily, we can help you with that.

Chowan Metal Recycling serves communities across eastern North Carolina, and thanks to years of helping folks with unused refrigerators, wiring, piping, and more, we know exactly what counts, and where you should take it. Here’s what you need to know.

What Is Considered Scrap Metal?

On the surface, metal that’s no longer useful might seem like scrap, but not everything qualifies. At its core, scrap metal is any used metal or metallic item that can be recycled, think old appliances, car parts, piping, wire, siding, and more. It can be found in homes, job sites, garages, and farms.

Metal falls into two categories: ferrous (with iron or steel, magnetic) and non-ferrous (without iron, including copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, and even lead). Both types are accepted at scrap yards, just make sure they’re free of non-metal attachments and clean enough to weigh accurately.

Where To Take Your Scrap Metal

Once you know what counts, knowing where to take scrap metal matters. Chowan Metal Recycling is a trusted scrap yard in Edenton, but we also welcome drop-offs from Hertford, Elizabeth City, Columbia, Creswell, Windsor, and beyond. You bring your metals here, we sort them, weigh them in front of you, and hand over payment, no fuss.

Some items, like aluminum siding or copper wiring, are worth more when properly prepared. Video guides and online articles often mention prepping and sorting, but we can help you do it right, saving time and maximizing payouts.

Why Sorting Matters

Sorting your metals before you get to the yard is more than just convenience. If you lump ferrous and non-ferrous together, you’ll get paid at the ferrous rate, which is barely a few cents a pound. Knowing what is considered scrap metal and where to take it means separating items like aluminum, copper, and stainless steel for higher returns.

We encourage bringing sorted loads. If you’re unsure, just give us a call, and we’ll help you identify items and explain any prep needed to get you the most for your metals.

How To Get The Best Payout

To get the most from your scrap, break down items if you can, remove plastic, wood, or rubber. Keep wires insulated and untangled. Separate aluminum from copper. These steps ensure clean loads and better rates when you sell.

Understanding this boosts your payout without spending unnecessary time. When you prepare properly, you hand us a clean load, and we hand you fair market value based on weights taken on our certified scales.

Conclusion

Knowing what is considered scrap metal and where to take it empowers you to recycle smarter, faster, and more profitably. Whether it’s clearing out old wiring, disposing of broken appliances, or selling car parts, Chowan Metal Recycling makes the process easy: just bring it in, sort it, weigh it, and get paid.

Whenever you’re ready to clean up your property and earn some cash, come see us at Chowan Metal Recycling. We’re local, honest, and here to help you recycle right, with no surprises and a friendly smile.