Recycling is one of the most effective means of reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. It also preserves scarce natural resources and our dependence on landfills.
Metal in Your Home
Know Before You Go
Recycling is important and you can get paid for your scrap metal. Below are frequently asked questions about how individuals can recycle their household metal items.
Photo ID Requirements
A photo ID is required to be paid for your scrap metal. If your photo ID does not have a current address, you must bring proof of address.
Acceptable photo IDs
Valid driver’s license with photo ID
Valid passport
Valid state issued ID
All scrap items must be free of oils, fuels and any hazardous substances. Seller should be prepared to demonstrate proof of ownership.
Sims operates over 200 metal scrap yards in North America, U.K. and Australasia.
The most common items that are turned away include pressurized containers (propane, aerosol or extinguishers), hazardous, corrosive, explosive or radioactive items. Some sites do not accept electronics.
No appointment is necessary. Most locations are open 6 days per week. Check for local site hours of operation and for items we accept.
The “magnet test” is an easy way to determine what type of metal you have.
If the magnet sticks to the metal object, it is steel or iron, referred to as “ferrous metal”. Steel and iron has little value. We encourage you to recycle this material at one of our scrap yards.
Common household items (ferrous)
Steel – car, cabinets, shelves, chairs
Iron – decorative items, gates and fending, tools, cast iron pots/pans
If the magnet does not stick to the metal object, it will typically be copper, aluminum, brass, bronze or stainless steel. These metals are referred to as “non-ferrous metal”. You will typically be paid for non-ferrous metals at our yards.
Common household items (non-ferrous):
Copper – plumbing pipes, air conditioner parts, electrical wire, some roofing materials
Payment is typically made by check. Cash payment may be available, if allowed by law, subject to criteria defined within the applicable statute.
If you bring mixed material to us, we will invest time in separating out different material types. Bringing us clean metal that is separated by type of metal means less processing on our end and we will pay more for separated material vs. mixed material.
Removal of any hazardous material can make the difference in us accepting or not accepting your metal. Some common metal equipment that requires specialized handling includes:
While we do not offer pick-up service for these items, we welcome homeowners to bring old appliances to one of our recycling facilities.
We recycle:
Washing machines
Dryers
Dishwashers
Refrigerators
Freezers – commercial and residential
Air conditioners
Air handlers
Heat pumps
Water heater
Refrigerators and air conditioners require special handling due to refrigerants that need to be properly handled. We will require a signature certifying that appliance has been disposed compliant with applicable state law.
Most Sims locations accept junk vehicles for recycling. We accept running and non-running cars, vans and trucks. We also buy trailers. We pay for metal and do charge a tire disposal fee.
To sell a vehicle, you will need proof of ownership (title).
Don’t forget that you will need a ride home. If you drive your vehicle to our facility to sell, remember to make arrangements for a ride to get home. We are unable to offer transport to individuals.
An online search will be done to verify vehicle is not stolen.
Seldom will we be able to pick up household loads. If you have large volume of metals, we may be able to arrange to have the material picked up. Click the link below to fill out a form and provide pictures of the material and we will contact you.
Sims does not purchase stolen materials. If company personnel suspect materials of being stolen, they may turn away the customer, and may notify local law enforcement. Sims follows all federal, state and local regulations that apply to the purchase of scrap vehicles and other scrap metal. If you have any questions about these regulations please contact your local representative or Sims scale personnel. Sims reserves the right to refuse any transaction it believes may be in violation of the law or that may contain stolen materials. All sellers of metal must supply government issued identification for every transaction. A thumbprint will be required for non-ferrous transactions. All transactions will be documented and photographed, including photos of material, seller of the material, and vehicle used to transport the material. Please note that recyclers are often the victims of metal theft. Sims reserves the right to conduct video surveillance of our facilities and business operations.
