Although you may have heard of a local scrap yard, you might be uncertain or even surprised at what services they can offer for you. They’ve been around for decades and the premise is simple: a scrap yard is essentially a place of business that’s main priority involves taking old, used, or unwanted scrap material with the intention of recycling it. If you are unsure of the process of disposing of scrap metal, or what kind of solutions your scrapyard can provide, read on.
Scrap metal recycling is a huge business. In the UK alone, 12 megatons of scrap metal are recycled every year, providing an employment rate of 15 thousand in the scrap metal industry. It’s not only a convenient way to make a little extra money, but the recycling process is beneficial to the environment and also sustainable, with 60% of copper produced since the 1900’s still in use. The metal recycling industry is a significant net contributor to UK balance of trade and also supplies a higher amount than any other sector for ‘end of life targets’ in the UK. This includes vehicles, batteries, and electronic equipment.
In brief, the UK scrap recycling industry is protecting the environment as well as supplying a huge workforce of around 10,000 people. Almost all metals have the scope to be recycled and new quality metals created. Reused scrap metals are often referred to as secondary raw materials, ensuring that precious natural resources are not unnecessarily used to create new metal compounds. The fact that you can recycle your scrap is a huge benefit in the sense that taking it to landfill means it is of no use to anyone. In total, scrap metal recycling yards and recycling centers divert 145 million tons from going to landfill.
The scrap metal recycling process
The process of recycling scrap metal involves several phases. Metal is placed into two categories, ferrous and non-ferrous. The former is a combination of iron and carbon. Some of the most commonly used ferrous metals include carbon steel, alloy, wrought iron and cast iron. Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, copper, zinc and tin. The first step in this process is collecting the scrap metal. The metal items are processed into various categories and transported for sorting. The next phase includes crushing and shredding into compactors – this can be handled easier on the conveyor belt system. A hammer mill will then shred the metal into small pieces, around the size of your hand.
A separation process then takes place which involves shredding the metal and placing it into magnetic drums that separate ferocious and non ferocious metals. The non-metallic materials such as paint or plastic are decreased by a process of blowing hot air through the shredded metal sucking up the impurities through a vacuum. The next step is to melt the various metals in a large furnace. The furnace will have a fuel-efficient regenerative burner to reduce the levels of energy burnt. The furnace is equipped with jet stirrers that ensure there is an even temperature by circulating the metal inside the furnace. This creates a stronger quality end product. While in a molten state, the metals are poured into moulds, depending on the metal, and cooled. Regardless of the energy costs involved in scrap metal recycling, the energy used is much less, compared to creating new raw material.
What is involved in scrap car collection?
Unfortunately, in some cases, getting your car fixed can cost more than its actually worth. At which point, the decision is made to say goodbye. Most components of a vehicle can be reused in some capacity. EU legislation requires that 95% of scrap cars are recycled, so it’s no wonder that many people are choosing to recycle their old cars. You may have found yourself wondering, how should I scrap my car for cash? There is a wealth of information on the internet regarding scrap metal, although it can be a little overwhelming if you don’t know where to begin.
Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) are the only facilities which are legally able to to dispose of scrap cars as they are able to deal with hazardous parts like oil and batteries. Only take your car to a facility that has the Certificate of Destruction (COD). Recycling your car anywhere else can qualify as a criminal offence. The next step is to find your V5 ownership document, and pass it on to the relevant section of the DVLA which will be a confirmation that you are no longer liable for the vehicle. The scrap yard will then be able to send you a Certificate of Destruction and inform the DVLA that you don’t legally own the car anymore.
Finding a reliable scrap yard near me
As previously highlighted, it’s certainly not advisable to sell your used car to anyone without the necessary licensing – just because a facility may claim to take scrap, doesn’t mean that they are legally able to do so. Not only are you following appropriate legal measures, but you are also much more likely to get a better price from a registered dealer, not to mention a better quality service. Without doubt, the best way of ensuring that you are selling your scrap in a legitimate fashion, and for the best price, is to find a reputable and fully licensed scrap yard that’s local to you. Some scrap metal facilities will require you to take the vehicle down to the facility yourself, others offer a scrap collection pick-up service. If you are uncertain of the process involved in scrapping your car for cash, It’s also important to consider that you can’t physically accept cash for the vehicle. In accordance with the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, its against the law to pay cash for scrap. Taking a cheque is pretty commonplace now, as is receiving an electronic payment directly into your bank account – for added convenience! Without doubt, the best way of ensuring that you are selling your scrap legitimately, and for the best price, is to find a reputable and fully licensed scrap yard local to you. Some scrap metal facilities will require you to take the vehicle down to the facility yourself, others offer a scrap collection pick-up service.
What do I need to bring with me?
In the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, it specifies that all buyers of scrap metal, including mobile dealers, must request a copy of your photographic ID that includes proof of your address, which also must be dated within three months. For most people a valid UK driving licence is probably the best option, but other acceptable options include:
● Valid UK passport
● Valid EEA passport
● Valid UK biometric immigration document
● Valid EU National ID card
If the documentation does not contain a current address, it must be accompanied by a piece of documentation that does. This can include:
● Bank or building society statement
● Credit or debit card statement
● Mortgage statement
● Council tax demand letter or statement
● Council rent book/Benefit book
● Council/Housing Association agreement
● HMRC correspondence
At Birmingham Autobreak, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of services to meet the needs of our customers. Whether it’s vehicle collection, breaking vehicles, or scrapping cars. We aim to provide a range of solutions at our scrap metal yard in Birmingham.As part of our recycling facility, we buy a range of scrap metal from cars in Birmingham. We pay beyond average prices for an assortment of vehicle parts. We also accept parts from all types of vehicles, so regardless of the model of your car you can always consider getting some quick cash in exchange for your old car or car parts.
While there are a few options when it comes to selling your scrap metal, the team here at Birmingham Autobreak have extensive experience in the industry, so you can guarantee that we understand the fundamentals of dealing with scrap metal. We pride ourselves on a quality service to make sure our customers have the best possible experience. When you come to Birmingham Autobreak, we also provide a range of payment options, including bank transfer, cheque and PayPal, for your added convenience. So if you are looking for a friendly and reliable scrap yard, get in touch with us today.
