Noteworthy Scrap Items

Noteworthy Scrap Items

Some scrap items are remarkable finds and are worth good money. You may get so excited and wanting to cash in on these scores you may forget to do your homework. Some scrap you may get legitimately may look like it was stolen or otherwise obtained illegally. It is important that you you are aware which items you need to look out for and avoid looking like a thief... 

I compiled this list based off my state's metal regulations. It would be imperative to check your state's regulations before heading off to the yard. Here is a link to an iScrap page allowing you to look over each state's scrap laws.

• Manhole covers

• Electric, light poles, or other utility poles 

• Guardrails 

• Street signs, traffic signs, or traffic signals

• Whole road tiles 

• Funeral markers or funeral vases 

•  Railroad equipment, including but not limited to a tie plate, signal house, control box, switch plate, e-clip, or rail tie junction

• Condensing or evaporating coils made from copper, aluminum, or aluminumcopper, including the tubing or rods from a heating or air conditioning unit that is not from a window air conditioning unit or automobile air conditioning unit. How many of you have full size HVACs just sitting around not being used?

• Stainless Steel Beer Keg. Usually these things get picked to be cleaned and refilled and reused.

• A catalytic converter or any nonferrous part of a catalytic converter unless purchased as part of a vehicle. Theft. Need I say more?

• Storm Drain Cover

If you look over the list, you will quickly find that it makes sense these particular items are restricted. There are few people who legitimately obtain these items for scrap. Most of the items will either be handled by the local government or utility company. If an individual did happen to obtain these items, paperwork would need to be exchanged and necessary to scrap these items.   

Remember, this is just a reporting from my state to make aware to those who don't know, some scrap items are not immediately valuable without proper documentation. If you are careless, you could end up stuck with the item or, at worse, in jail. Always do your homework and stay honest.