Avoid costly contamination. Here’s what to include (and what to leave out) when bringing in your scrap.
You load up your truck, confident you’ve got a solid haul of scrap metal. But hidden amongst the steel and aluminum might be materials that don’t belong and that could cost you. Contaminated loads slow down processing, reduce payouts, and in some cases, create serious safety risks.
This guide breaks down what belongs in your scrap pile and what doesn’t. That way, you get the best return and help keep the recycling process clean, safe, and efficient.
Why Proper Sorting Matters: Sorting your scrap correctly isn’t just good practice; it’s essential. Here’s why.
- Efficiency: Clean loads allow recycling centers like CFC Recycling to process materials quickly.
- Better payouts: Properly sorted scrap earns higher prices and faster service.
- Environmental compliance: EPA and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) laws and regulations require proper handling of hazardous and non-metal materials.
Safety: According to OSHA’s scrap-recycling guide, contaminants increase fire risks and damage equipment. See OSHA’s safety guide.
Common Non-Metal Items Mistaken for Scrap
Non Metal Items
Examples
Why It's problematic
Plastic & Rubber
Garden hoses
Plastic gas cans
Rubber tubing
PVC pipe
These non-metal items contaminate metal loads and can ignite.
Wood
Wooden pallets
Furniture parts
Window frames with wood trim
Wood jams machinery and can’t be processed with metal.
Glass and Ceramics
Mirrors
Porcelain fixtures
Lightbulbs
Ceramic tile
These items shatter easily, creating safety hazards and contaminating clean scrap.
Insulated or Embedded Items
Wiring with thick insulation. Metal encased in foam or concrete.
Can jam machinery.
Tip: May be accepted if insulation is stripped or non-metal is removed.
Electronic Waste (E-Waste)
TVs
Microwaves
Laptops
Circuit boards
Though they contain metal parts, they fall under e-waste regulations. Check with your local recycling center for accepted items.
“Looks Like Metal, but It’s Not”
Some items appear metallic but don’t qualify as scrap.
- Tin-coated items: Often plastic underneath
- Foil or thin aluminum: Too lightweight or contaminated.
- Metal-plated plastic: Shiny surface, no real metal content
How to Prep Your Load Like a Pro
Want top dollar for your scrap? Follow these tips.
- Remove plastic, rubber, and wood attachments.
- Separate ferrous (steel/iron) from non-ferrous metals (copper/aluminum/brass).
- Never mix metal with household trash, chemicals, or food waste.
- Use a magnet: ferrous metals stick, non-ferrous do not.
- Clean off oil, dirt, or residue. Contamination lowers value and may lead to rejection.
- Drain fluids from appliances or automotive parts.
What Happens to Contaminated Loads?
Bringing in the wrong materials can lead to the following.
- Rejection: Yards may refuse overly contaminated loads.
- Reduced payout: Scrap may be downgraded to “dirty metal,” lowering rates.
- Delays: Operators may require you to re-sort on-site before unloading.
- Equipment strain: Contaminants like wood, plastic, or glass accelerate equipment damage.
Proper sorting protects your payout, the recycler’s equipment, and the proficiency of the entire process.
Not Sure? Ask CFC
Unsure if something belongs in your scrap load? Don’t guess. Ask. CFC Recycling is here to help with clear guidelines, fair pricing, and sustainable recycling practices.
By knowing what counts as scrap and what doesn’t, you protect your wallet, your local recycling stream, and the environment.