How to Make Money Selling Scrap

You too can break into the crap metal business on a shoestring and turn someone else's junk into gold. Start out by becoming a "local junk dealer." All you actually need to get started is a couple of empty boxes and either a pickup truck or a station wagon. Any metal that you'd find is worth money these days.

Check with local machine shops, plumbers, electricians, roofers, and building contractors. And be sure and check in the neighborhood trash containers and service stations. It's a good idea to contract with these sources to remove their metal on a regular basis - most of them will just give it to you, it saves them hauling it away. Sort out the metal according to type - copper, steel, iron, tin, brass, aluminum, etc. Separated, it is worth $30 a ton more. Your next step is to search the yellow pages for scrap metal processors - they are anxious to purchase all the scrap that you can provide at the going rates.

Check your daily newspapers to keep in touch with metal prices. Also subscribe to the "AMERICAN METAL MARKET", "IRON AGE", AND "FIBER MARKET NEWS". Put up signs in laundromat and bulletin boards all over town. Distribute flyers house-to-house.

Let people know that you are in business of "recycling" scrap metals - most folks will give you what they have free. You can even establish your own "recycling center," providing separate bins for each metal. People are super ecology-minded these days and will gladly bring it to you Newspaper is worth about $50 per ton, cardboard $40 a ton, and old telephone books bring about $150 a ton.

Contact businesses and pick up their paper on a regular basis. Hundred of fortunes have been build in exactly this way - simple, low-investment beginnings. Perhaps 9 out of 10 giants of the industry started in exactly this way, and so can you. After you've gotten your feet wet, jump into the big time, the "junk automobile" business.

This is the best source of scrap metals. It requires a pretty good investment for equipment, such as tow truck, mobile crusher, and a yard to store cars to do the crushing. To begin, rent the yard, purchase a used tow truck and crusher, and contact your County Clerk for insurance and licensing requirements. Tow in wrecked and abandoned cars, buy old cars for say $25 each and strip them for usable parts - then crush them for scrap. Body shops, garages, and service stations are prime markets for used and reconditioned parts of all types. You still sell the scrap metal to processors or even brokers.


Related Articles

All-Cruise Travel Club

Minimum Start-Up: $500 Average Start-UP: 10,000 Revenue: $25,000 - $250K Profits: $10,000/Month One Person Business: Yes

Couponing: How to Run an Easy and Profitable Business Selling Special Coupons

Look in your mailbox. What do you see almost every day? Coupons. Look in your newspaper. What do you see EVERY day? Coupons. It seems like coupons multiply like rabbits. Why? Prices are rising, unlike a majority of people's incomes.

The Boring Way to Become Wealthy

When some people think about becoming rich, they might imagine suddenly coming into a bunch of money. Maybe they'll win the lottery. Maybe a rich relative will die and leave a fortune to them. Or perhaps they'll suddenly make it as a famous actor. Planning to become wealthy this way is a non starter.

How to Sell Pine Cones

Ordinary pine cones, of any size, can be made to look almost exactly like tiny owls simply by adding "eyes" which can be purchased at any hobby or craft shop.

27 Service Businesses to Start Now

There are hundreds of opportunities in the service arena offering low-cost start-ups and high profit returns. Almost all can be run from home.

16 Ways You Can Make Money Collecting Things in Woods and on Beaches

16 Ways You Can Make Money Collecting Things in Woods and on Beaches

How to Give Away Magazines and Make Great Profits

People are always interested in saving money. If you can develop a product or service that will help them save, you are almost guaranteed success.

How to Make $50 Mailing 150 Envelopes

Order 5,000 3 x 6 commission circulars from your printer selling $1.00 items that you earn 50% commission on every order you receive. Have your name printed on them - it will save you hours of stamping time.

Big Profits In The Sign Fabrication Business

A few years ago it would have been foolish to even consider a sign business unless you were well qualified to hand paint letters and illustrations.

A Furniture Refinishing Business in Your Home

If you have a garage or work building and are willing to learn a craft, upholstering, re-upholstering and/or furniture refinishing would make an excellent home business.