We Can Help You Recycle Steel, Copper, Automobiles & More
Finding ways to go more green is a goal for many nowadays, and recycling scrap is a great way to help protect our planet’s resources. In fact, scrap metal is one of the most valuable products to recycle, benefiting the environment, the economy, and the person recycling – you.
That said, not everyone knows how to go about this process. You might know that recycling scrap is a good thing to do – and that you can put some extra cash in your pocket while you’re at it – but where do you even start? We’ve got insight on it all.
Guidelines for Recycling Your Scrap Metal With Us
Below are the procedures for scrapping various types of materials with us. Please remember that tickets must be presented to our office for payment and that security cameras are recording our facilities at all times. We prosecute for theft.
Procedure for Ferrous Metal
- All ferrous metal (tin, steel, shreddables, etc.) must be driven across the truck scales.
- Enter the facility and drive onto the truck scales. You must come to a complete stop.
- For your protection, we require that all customers and passengers stay inside their vehicle at all times while on the yard.
- After the scale clerk records your weight, you will see a green light on the numeric display. You may then pull forward slowly, so the radiation detectors may scan your load.
- Once the scan is complete, drive to the back of the yard, where our yard inspector will inspect your load and direct you to the appropriate place to be unloaded. Again, please stay in your vehicle at all times.
- After unloading, drive back to the scale, come to a complete stop on it, and wait for the green light.
- You may then park your vehicle and come to the pay window to receive your payment. You must present a valid photo ID to sell your metal.
- Alabama residents: We must report the tag number, make, and model of the delivery vehicle to the state.
Procedure for Non-Ferrous Materials
- If you have non-ferrous materials, such as copper or aluminum, those items may be taken to the non-ferrous building before or after you have weighed your steel.
- When at the non-ferrous building, stay in your car until it is your turn. At that time, you may get out to watch your materials being weighed.
- Once your items are weighed, you will receive a ticket to present to the scale clerk at the main office pay window.
Procedure for Automobiles
- For all vehicles less than 12 years old, a title must be presented to sell the vehicle.
- We request that a softball (or larger)-sized hole be made in the bottom center of the fuel tank. If you do not have the ability to do this, we can do it on site for a $20 fee.
- For vehicles less than 1 ton, 4 tires may be attached to the vehicle without deduction.
- For vehicles greater than 1 ton, tires must be removed. We will cut the tires and send them home with you for $5 per tire. If you choose to leave them, we charge a $25 tire disposal fee.
- If you do not have a title for the vehicle and it is older than 12 years, we will record the VIN number from the vehicle and have you sign a Vehicle Agreement Form, which we report to the state.
- Absolutely no work may be done to a vehicle once you are on our premises. Any tires, parts, etc. that you want to keep must be removed prior to getting here.
- Alabama residents: In order to sell a catalytic converter, you must present the title or registration of the vehicle that the converter was removed from. This title must be in the person’s name that is selling the converter.
Procedure for Copper
- In both Tennessee and Alabama, anyone may sell copper.
- In Tennessee, state law requires us to hold payment for 5 days unless you present a valid HVAC license, scrap dealer license, or business license.
- In Alabama, the only exception is HVAC copper, which requires an HVAC license to sell. Burnt copper is not allowed to sell or purchase.
- We do not mail copper checks. You must pick them up in person at the location where it was sold.
Items NOT Accepted
- Tires (we will accept metal rims, with the tire removed)
- Ammunition, firearms, and other explosive materials
- Garbage, rags, paper, glass, wood, dirt, concrete, and other debris
- PCB’s, capacitors, or fluorescent tubes
- Microwaves
- Televisions
- Beer Kegs
- Freon (all fluids must be drained from cars, appliances, etc.)
- Acetylene tanks
- Radioactive/Toxic Materials
At Harmon Scrap Metal, we are committed to protecting the environment and strive to be in full compliance of all local, state, and federal regulations. The safety of our customers and employees comes foremost in our daily activities. We regret any inconvenience these restrictions may cause you.
Ready to Get Started? Reach Out Today
Are you ready to get your recycling process started? We’ve been serving folks in Northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee for decades, and we’d love to help you too. Shoot us a text or reach out through our site and we’ll send back a quote – it’s easy at that.
Do you have any further questions that we didn’t answer here? Please let us know! You can contact us online or give us a call at 931-293-2360 during business hours.
If you have a business that needs commercial scrap metal recycling, we’ve got you covered with our complete metal recycling services.